China and Russia have voted against a UN Security Council resolution urging Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, preventing the measure from being adopted amid the ongoing regional conflict with the United States and Israel.
The draft resolution, which called for the immediate reopening of the vital shipping route, was put forward by Western members of the council. It failed to secure the required nine votes in favour after both permanent members exercised their veto power.
China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN told the council that the resolution was “unbalanced” and ignored the root causes of the current crisis. “Any attempt to impose unilateral pressure will only escalate tensions and undermine the prospects for dialogue,” the diplomat said.
Russia’s ambassador echoed that view, arguing that the text failed to address the “legitimate security concerns” of all parties involved. “This resolution does not contribute to de-escalation. It is one-sided and counterproductive,” he stated.
The Strait of Hormuz remains partially closed following Iranian threats in response to US-Israeli strikes that began after the February 28 assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The vote reflects deepening divisions among permanent Security Council members over how to address the escalating Middle East conlflict.
