Russia and China BLOCK reopening of Strait of Hormuz in dramatic UN vote

Russia and China BLOCK reopening of Strait of Hormuz in dramatic UN voteRussia and China have blocked a UN Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of HormuzCommentsNewsEliana Nunes News Reporter17:04, 07 Apr 2026Updated 17:16, 07 Apr 2026View Image(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Russia and China have blocked a UN Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz - just hours before Donald Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the vital shipping route.‌The Bahrain-sponsored resolution failed after receiving 11 votes in favour, two abstentions and two - Russia and China - against. Both China and Russia hold veto power on the council.‌The vote took place before the deadline of Tuesday 8pm ET (1am BST Wednesday) set by the US president or Iran to reopen the strait or face attacks on its power plants and bridges.‌One-fifth of the world's oil typically passes through the strait, and Iran's stranglehold during the war has sent energy prices soaring.The proposal had repeatedly been watered down in the hope those two countries would abstain. The initial proposal would have authorised countries to use "all necessary means" - UN wording that would include military action - to ensure transit through the Strait of Hormuz and deter attempts to close it.Article continues belowAfter Russia, China and France, all veto-wielding countries on the 15-member Security Council, expressed opposition to approving the use of force, the resolution was revised to eliminate all references to offensive action. It would have authorised only "all defensive means necessary".A vote had been expected on Saturday, but instead the resolution was further weakened to eliminate any reference to Security Council authorisation - which is an order for action - and limit its provisions to the Strait of Hormuz.The resolution vetoed on Tuesday "strongly encourages states interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait o...