China, Russia veto UN resolution to reopen Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON: Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Pakistan abstained.

The draft resolution, which underwent six revisions during negotiations to bridge differences among council members, received 11 votes in favour, two against and two abstentions.

Bahrain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama, Somalia, the United Kingdom and the United States voted in favour of the resolution.

Russia and China voted against the measure, exercising their veto power as permanent members of the 15-nation UNSC, thereby blocking its adoption despite majority support.

Pakistan and Colombia were the two countries that abstained from voting.

The resolution, sponsored by the US and supported by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, called for de-escalation and for ensuring the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic maritime chokepoint through which a substantial portion of global oil shipments pass. Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Israel war on the Islamic republic.

Diplomats said multiple rounds of negotiations resulted in six changes to the text in an effort to accommodate concerns raised by several members, including language related to regional security guarantees and the broader context of tensions in the Gulf.

Despite those revisions, Moscow and Beijing maintained their opposition, arguing that the draft failed to adequately reflect underlying regional dynamics.