Russia, China Block Hormuz Action at UN as Shipping Crisis Continues

The United Nations Security Council failed Tuesday to pass a Gulf-backed resolution aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, after Russia and China vetoed the measure—laying bare deep geopolitical divisions as maritime traffic through the critical chokepoint remains near collapse.

The draft resolution, led by Bahrain and supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Gulf states, called on countries to coordinate defensive efforts and deter interference with international navigation. It stopped short of authorizing force but underscored the urgency of restoring safe passage through a waterway that typically carries around 20% of global oil trade.