Seven nations have overnight declared that they are ready to “contribute to appropriate efforts” to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and have welcomed the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.
The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada released the statement yesterday.
“We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817,” the statement reads, add that the freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Arguing that interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitutes a threat to international peace and security, the statement also called for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.
“Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security,” the statement reads.
Security Council resolution
The UN voted in favour of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026) by 13 votes in favour to none against with two abstentions (China, Russia). The Resolution condemns Iran’s “egregious attacks” against its neighbours and condemns “in the strongest terms,” attacks against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan.
The resolution also demanded that Tehran halt threats, provocations, and actions aimed at interfering with maritime trade.
Paragraph 7 of the Resolution’s Preamble deplores attacks and threats on merchant and commercial vessels in and near the Strait of Hormuz, the disruption to maritime security, and at the adverse impact on international trade, energy security, and the global economy. Paragraph 7 – an operative paragraph – reaffirms the exercise of rights of navigation and the freedoms of merchant and commercial vessels which must be protected. Paragraph 7 also takes note of the rights of the Member States of the UN to defend their vessels from attacks and provocations.
Paragraph 8 condemns the actions and threats of Iran to close, obstruct, or interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and affirms that any attempt to impede lawful transit passage or freedom of navigation constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security.
Nearly 140 Member States of the United Nations co-sponsored the resolution.
Commenting on the adoption of Resolution 2817, the Iranian representative said that the adoption is “a serious setback to the Council’s credibility and leaves a lasting stain on its record,” arguing that the State responsible for the war of aggression – the United States – sits on the other side of the [UN Security Council] chamber as Council President.
China’s representative cautioned that while the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Gulf Arab States must be fully respected, he cautioned that the resolution adopted “does not fully reflect the root cause and overall picture of the conflict in a balanced manner”.
Russia’s representative commented that “To our deep regret, the resolution that just passed is expressed […] in a biased and one-sided tone.”
Alternative proposed resolution failed
The UN Security Council rejected a second draft resolution, drafted by Moscow, by a vote of 4 in favour (China, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia), 2 against, and nine abstentions. China’s representative expressed regret that the draft resolution was not adopted, adding that: “This is a war that should not have happened, and a war that benefits no one.”
The Russian draft resolution would, if passed, have urged all parties to stop military activities and to refrain from further escalation in the Middle East and would have condemned all attacks against civilians, civilian infrastructure, and would have called for their protection.
