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3. Tehran Cautions UN Against Escalation Before Strait of Hormuz Vote

Iran on Friday warned the UN Security Council against any "provocative action" ahead of a vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Reporting by The Associated Press indicates that Bahrain has revised a proposed United Nations resolution on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, scaling back provisions that had sparked objections from China and Russia.

The updated text limits international involvement to defensive operations aimed at safeguarding maritime transit, removing earlier wording that would have enabled states to take broader action. The original draft included the phrase “all necessary means,” commonly used by the United Nations to signal potential authorization of military force.

Bahrain’s decision to amend the language reflects ongoing disagreements within the Security Council. While some member states advocated for a stronger mandate to guarantee freedom of navigation, others particularly China and Russia, expressed reservations about any clause that could justify armed intervention.

Iran’s effective restrictions on shipping have led to a sharp collapse in maritime traffic and significant disruptions in global oil markets, prompting about 40 countries to call on Tehran to reopen the waterway or face potential sanctions.

Gulf states and other international actors have also urged the Security Council to take stronger measures to secure navigation, even as geopolitical frictions among major powers complicate consensus on a path forward.