Middle Eastern oil-producing countries are pushing for a United Nations Security Council resolution to open the Strait of Hormuz by force. But adoption is uncertain as permanent members Russia, China and France oppose it.
According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 2nd, the Security Council plans to put a resolution to a vote on the 3rd to resume navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The resolution, drafted by Bahrain with the support of Gulf Arab states seeking to secure the strait's safety, includes a provision for member states to ensure passage through the strait via individual efforts or a voluntary multinational naval cooperation arrangement.
It also includes allowing the use of all necessary means against attempts to block, disrupt or interfere.
However, several permanent members with veto power are reportedly effectively putting the brakes on it by opposing language authorizing the use of force. Nonpermanent members are also said to be split.
Earlier, France President Emmanuel Macron said, "The military opening of the Strait of Hormuz is unrealistic," adding, "It would take enormous time and would expose ships transiting the strait to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) coastal threats and ballistic missile risks."
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments pass, since late February after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
Iran maintains that it will keep control of the strait even after the war ends, and recently even devised a plan to charge passing ships tolls in yuan or coins.