NEW YORK: The UN Security Council began consultations on Monday on a draft resolution circulated by Bahrain that would authorize the use of force to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as a coalition of 22 countries declared their readiness to help safeguard the vital waterway.
The “zero draft,” seen by Arab News, invokes Chapter VII of the UN Charter and would allow member states, acting individually or through voluntary multinational naval partnerships, to use “all necessary means” in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The mandate would extend to territorial waters of states bordering the strait, with the aim of ensuring transit passage and deterring or neutralizing attempts to disrupt international navigation.
The move comes on the heels of Iran’s announcement on March 2 of restrictions on navigation in the strait, warning that vessels attempting to pass without coordination could be targeted.
The restrictions followed US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28.
The draft demands that again the Islamic Republic of Iran cease “all attacks on merchant and commercial vessels, and any attempt to impede lawful transit passage of freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz.”
Earlier on Saturday, Bahrain and the UAE had joined 20 other countries in issuing a joint statement expressing “readiness” to contribute to efforts to secure shipping through the strait.
The signatories included the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Australia and several European and Nordic countries.
The group condemned Iranian attacks on unarmed commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, as well as the “de facto closure” of the strait.
It urged Iran to cease threats, mine-laying and missile and drone strikes, and to comply with the recently adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
“Interference with international shipping and disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security,” the statement said, adding that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law.
Security Council members are expected to continue negotiations on the draft in the coming days, though diplomats cautioned that differences remain over the scope of any authorization for the use of force.
