ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A UN Security Council resolution backed by the United States and Arab Gulf states to reopen the Strait of Hormuz failed on Tuesday after Russia and China vetoed the measure, dealing a setback to efforts aimed at restoring critical global energy and trade flows.
The draft, led by Bahrain, sought to authorize the use of force to guarantee freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, allowing Gulf countries to export oil and import essential goods. Moscow and Beijing opposed the provision, arguing it risked escalating tensions.
China’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, indicated that the timing of the vote played a decisive role in Beijing’s decision, coming just hours before US President Donald Trump’s deadline tied to threats of massive strikes on Iran’s infrastructure.
“Yes. That's why I said the timing was extremely bad,” Fu Cong told Rudaw when asked whether Trump’s statement influenced China’s vote.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani defended the decision to proceed with the vote despite concerns over timing, saying delays had already been made in an effort to accommodate such objections.