Washington: The US proposed a UN Security Council resolution Tuesday to defend freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. "At President Trump's direction, the United States, alongside Bahrain and our Gulf partners, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, drafted a UN Security Council Resolution to defend freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
According to Anadolu Agency, Rubio stated that the move came as "the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to hold the world's economy hostage with its efforts to close the Strait of Hormuz, threats to attack ships in the Strait, laying of sea mines that pose a danger to shipping, and attempts to charge tolls for the world's most important waterway." The draft resolution requires Iran to cease attacks, mining, and tolling, and demands that Iran disclose the number and location of the sea mines it has laid and cooperate with efforts to remove them. It also supports the establishment of a humanitarian corridor.
Rubio emphasized that the United States anticipates this resolution will be voted on in the coming days and seeks support from Security Council members and a broad base of co-sponsors. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Rubio described the draft resolution as "a real test for the UN ... as a function." He criticized Iran for "unlawfully, criminally and illegally taking possession of an international waterway and blowing up commercial vessels and putting mines in the water," without directly naming the country.
Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. The truce was later extended by US President Donald Trump without a set deadline. Since April 13, the US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.