US proposes UN resolution over Iran's Strait of Hormuz threat
Synopsis
The US has taken Iran's Hormuz threat to the UN Security Council, drafting a resolution — backed by five Gulf allies — that demands Tehran stop attacks, disclose sea mines, and end illegal tolling. With China and Russia likely to resist, the vote could expose just how fractured global consensus on Iran has become.
Key Takeaways
The United States proposed a UN Security Council resolution on 6 May 2025 accusing Iran of threatening freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz .
The draft was prepared "at President Trump 's direction" alongside Bahrain , Saudi Arabia , the UAE , Kuwait , and Qatar .
The resolution demands Iran cease attacks, disclose and cooperate in removing sea mines , and stop charging tolls in the waterway.
It also supports establishing a humanitarian corridor in the Strait, with operational details yet to be specified.
China and Russia have historically blocked coordinated UN measures on Iran, posing a significant obstacle to passage.
A Security Council vote is expected within days , according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio .
The United States has proposed a UN Security Council resolution accusing Iran of threatening global shipping and destabilising the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy corridors. The draft, announced on Tuesday, 6 May, was prepared at the direction of President Donald Trump alongside key Gulf allies.
What the Resolution Demands
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the draft resolution was developed in coordination with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. According to the US State Department, the resolution requires Iran to "cease attacks, mining, and tolling" in the Strait of Hormuz.
The draft also demands that Tehran disclose "the number and location of the sea mines it has laid" and cooperate with international efforts to remove them. Additionally, the resolution supports the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in the waterway, though operational details were not specified in the statement.
Rubio's Statement
In a strongly worded US State Department statement, Rubio said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to hold the world's economy hostage with its efforts to close the Strait of Hormuz, threats to attack ships in the Strait, laying of sea mines that pose a danger to shipping, and attempts to charge tolls for the world's most important waterway."
Rubio added that Washington looks forward to the resolution "being voted on in the coming days" and to receiving broad co-sponsorship from Security Council members.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz is among the world's most strategically vital maritime passages, connecting Gulf oil producers to global markets via the Arabian Sea. A major share of global oil shipments transits this narrow waterway daily. Any disruption can rapidly affect crude oil prices, shipping costs, and international supply chains — with consequences felt far beyond the region.
This comes amid growing tensions in the Gulf and renewed concerns over disruptions to global trade and energy supplies.
Obstacles at the Security Council
The path to passing the resolution is far from straightforward. The UN Security Council has debated maritime security issues linked to Iran several times in recent years, but divisions among major powers — particularly China and Russia — have repeatedly complicated coordinated measures targeting Tehran.
Notably, China, one of the world's largest importers of Gulf energy, closely monitors developments in the Strait of Hormuz given its dependence on oil flows through the route. Beijing's position on the resolution could prove decisive.
With a vote expected in the coming days, the resolution's fate will test whether the Security Council can bridge longstanding geopolitical fault lines over Iran policy.
Point of View
And neither has an incentive to sanction Iran's maritime conduct when Gulf oil flows serve their own strategic interests. If the resolution fails or is vetoed, it risks handing Tehran a propaganda win while exposing the limits of US multilateral leverage at a moment when the administration is simultaneously pursuing bilateral nuclear negotiations with Iran.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US UN Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz?
The United States has proposed a UN Security Council resolution demanding that Iran cease attacks, remove sea mines, and stop charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. The draft, announced on 6 May 2025, was developed alongside Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important?
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical oil transit chokepoint, linking Gulf producers to global markets through the Arabian Sea. Any disruption to shipping in this narrow waterway can rapidly drive up crude oil prices and destabilise international supply chains.
What does the US resolution demand from Iran?
The resolution requires Iran to cease attacks on shipping, disclose the number and location of sea mines it has laid, cooperate with their removal, and stop charging tolls in the Strait. It also supports the creation of a humanitarian corridor, though operational details have not been specified.
Will China and Russia support the resolution?
That remains uncertain. China and Russia have historically blocked or complicated coordinated UN measures targeting Iran, and both have strategic interests in Gulf energy flows. Their positions at the Security Council could determine whether the resolution passes or is vetoed.
When is the Security Council vote expected?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington looks forward to the resolution being voted on "in the coming days" and hopes to receive broad co-sponsorship from Security Council members.
