U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday called a U.S.-proposed U.N. Security Council resolution demanding Iran stop attacks and mine-laying in the Strait of Hormuz a test of the utility of the United Nations and urged China and Russia not to repeat their vetoes. The text — drafted by the United States with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar — could lead to sanctions against Iran and potentially authorise force if Tehran fails to halt attacks and threats to commercial shipping; Security Council members began closed talks on Tuesday on the draft.
A previous Bahraini resolution backed by Washington, which appeared to open a path to legitimise U.S. military action against Iran, failed last month after Russia and China exercised their vetoes in the 15-member Council. The new draft avoids explicit language authorising force while still operating under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, which allows the Security Council to impose measures ranging from sanctions to military action. "Everyone wouldn't want to see this vetoed again, and we've made some slight adjustments to the language," Rubio told reporters at a White House news briefing, while adding that he did not know whether it would avoid a veto.
A draft of the resolution seen by Reuters condemns Iran's alleged violations of the current ceasefire and its "continuing actions and threats aimed at closing, obstructing, tolling" freedom of navigation through the strait, demanding Iran immediately cease attacks, disclose the locations of any mines and not impede clearance operations. It also calls on Tehran to cooperate with U.N. efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor through the strait, citing disruption of aid deliveries, fertilizer shipments and other essential goods; the U.N. Secretary-General would report back within 30 days on compliance and the Council would reconvene to consider additional steps, including possible sanctions, if Iran failed to implement the resolution.
Diplomats said Washington hopes to close negotiations quickly, with the aim of circulating a final draft by Friday and holding a vote early next week, although Russia and China still have a competing text under consideration. Monday's escalation, in which the U.S. said it destroyed six Iranian small boats and Iranian missiles hit a UAE oil port at Fujairah, followed Washington's launch of "Project Freedom", a U.S.-led effort to move stranded tankers and other vessels through Hormuz. Washington has also circulated a proposal, seen by Reuters, for a new multinational maritime coalition — the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC) — aimed at establishing a post-conflict security architecture for the Middle East and reopening the strait once conditions stabilise; the MFC would coordinate with a separate Franco-British maritime mission involving around 30 countries.
Key Takeaways:
1. Marco Rubio called the new U.N. Security Council draft 'a test of the utility of the United Nations' and urged China and Russia not to repeat their vetoes.
2. The text was drafted by the United States with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, following the failure of a Bahraini resolution last month.
3. The draft operates under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter while avoiding explicit language authorising force, opening the door to sanctions and potentially military measures.
4. Diplomats aim to circulate a final text by Friday and hold a vote early next week, while Russia and China are circulating a competing draft.
5. The push follows Monday's escalation in which the U.S. said it destroyed six Iranian small boats and Iranian missiles hit the UAE port of Fujairah, shaking the four-week-old ceasefire.
