Russia, China and France blocked a resolution on the Strait of Hormuz at the UN

Russia, China and France have opposed a draft UN resolution that would have allowed the use of force to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The talks have reached an impasse, The New York Times reports.

The document, supported by the Persian Gulf states, provides for the right of states to use “all necessary means” to deter Iran’s attempts to block the strait.

However, according to diplomatic sources, the talks have reached an impasse due to the position of a number of major powers. During closed consultations, France, Russia and China opposed the wording that allows the use of force.

French President Emmanuel Macron called calls for the forcible opening of the strait unrealistic, pointing to the significant resources of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the risk of a large-scale escalation. At the same time, the war has effectively destroyed Iran’s long-standing efforts to build good-neighborly relations in the region: even traditional mediators such as Oman and Qatar claim irreparable damage to diplomacy. Experts warn that an attempt to resolve this political and energy crisis “at gunpoint” without taking into account the root causes of the war can only worsen the situation in the Persian Gulf.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibabadi said that a special protocol for transit control is being developed together with Oman. Despite the Iranian side’s assurances that such measures are aimed only at safety and improving ship service without imposing restrictions, the United States and the international community question the legitimacy of such claims.

Tags: Hormuz