A proposed United Nations (UN) resolution threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if the country does not cease attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, stop imposing “illegal tolls” and disclose the location of all mines, in order to allow freedom of navigation.
The draft Security Council resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and Gulf countries, was obtained on Tuesday by the Associated Press. The proposal calls for Iran to “immediately participate in and facilitate” United Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor across the strait to enable the delivery of vital aid, fertilizers and other goods.
This is the latest diplomatic effort by the US and its Gulf allies, after a resolution seeking to open the strait was vetoed by China and Russia in early April.
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This Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of continuing to “hold the world economy hostage” by trying to close the strait, threatening to attack ships, launching sea mines and trying to charge tolls “through the most important waterway in the world”.
“The United States hopes that this resolution will be voted on in the coming days and that it will receive the support of the members of the Security Council and a broad base of co-sponsors,” Rubio said.
US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, told reporters on Monday that he believes the new, more restricted proposal will obtain the necessary support to be approved by the 15-member Security Council, without generating opposition or veto from Iran’s allies.
The resolution — drafted based on Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter and therefore subject to military application — threatens “effective measures proportionate to the gravity of the situation, including sanctions,” if Iran does not comply with the demands. The previous resolution had removed the reference to Chapter 7, but was still vetoed.
The new project reaffirms the right of all countries to defend their ships against attacks and provocations and determines that other States do not assist Iran in closing the strait or charging tolls.
