Russia skips Bahraini UN resolution to avoid derailing process — diplomat

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Russia and China on April 7 blocked a Bahraini-drafted UN Security Council resolution on the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the text would have aggravated tensions and jeopardized diplomatic efforts. In a parallel move, Moscow and Beijing submitted an alternative draft resolution aimed at de-escalation and dialogue, according to statements made at the Security Council session.

Russia and China’s Alternative Draft

Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya announced that Russia and China had jointly proposed a "brief and well-balanced" alternative resolution covering the current situation in the Middle East, including maritime security. "We are convinced that free navigation in the Strait [of Hormuz], which is so essential for the countries of the region and the whole of the world, can be guaranteed only through ending hostilities and reaching a negotiated solution," Nebenzya said at the April 7 Security Council meeting.

China’s Permanent Representative Fu Cong echoed this stance, saying the alternative text is "objective and fair," and emphasizes calls for dialogue and negotiations, as well as upholding navigation rights. He criticized the Bahraini draft for failing "to capture the root causes and full picture of the conflict in a comprehensive, balanced manner," adding that it contained "a one-sided condemnation [of Iran] and pressure [on Iran]."

Criticism of the Bahraini Draft

Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, articulated several objections to the Bahraini text. At a press conference on April 3, Lavrov argued that the resolution could not be approved because it "does not contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict" and would damage the Security Council’s reputation.

Lavrov pointed to a key paragraph authorizing states, individually or in coalitions, to use "all necessary measures" to ensure freedom of navigation—a wording that evolved into "all necessary defensive measures—proportionate to the circumstances." He questioned who would determine those circumstances: "Of course, it will be those very states that are given the right to use ‘all necessary defensive measures.’" Lavrov warned that Western colleagues had previously reinterpreted defensive mandates to justify aggressive actions.

Nebenzya elaborated on April 7, stating that the resolution, had it passed, "would have put at risk any prospects for resuming the negotiation process to resolve the crisis," and would have undermined peace initiatives by China, Pakistan, and Turkey. He further argued that the text "would have given a free rein to continue aggressive actions and further escalation" against Iran, especially given recent US statements about destroying Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened.

Zakharova added on April 8 that Russia “demanded the removal of inadmissible paragraphs” and put forward its own proposals, striving to ensure the text “would not harm anyone or be used for any malicious purposes.”

Vote and Reactions

The Bahraini-drafted resolution received 11 votes in favor, but was blocked by the negative votes of Russia and China—both permanent members—while Pakistan and Colombia abstained. The outcome was welcomed by Iran, whose Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on April 20 that Tehran “maintains constant dialogue with Moscow and Beijing and thanks them for their responsible stance on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.” He emphasized that Iran is “in constant communication with these two countries.”

Perspectives

• Russian view: Officials maintain that the Bahraini text was one-sided and potentially escalatory, and that their alternative draft better reflects the need for peaceful settlement and respect for sovereignty.
• Chinese view: Beijing supports dialogue and opposes what it sees as unbalanced pressure on Iran, accusing the Bahraini draft of missing the root causes of the conflict.
• Iranian view: Tehran appreciates the Russian-Chinese stance and continues diplomatic engagement with both countries.
• Gulf Arab states’ view: The Bahraini initiative, backed by other Gulf states, sought to secure freedom of navigation but was seen by opponents as potentially authorizing military action against Iran.

Attribution

Information in this article is based on statements reported by TASS, including remarks from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzya, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, China’s Permanent Representative Fu Cong, and Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.