The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a new resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as pressure builds just hours before a deadline set by Donald Trump.
The proposal, backed by Gulf countries and the United States, has been watered down after facing resistance from major powers like France, Russia, and China.
trEarlier versions had called for the possible use of force to reopen the waterway, but that language has now been removed.
Instead, the current draft focuses on urging countries to take “defensive” steps to ensure safe passage for ships, while calling on Iran to immediately stop any actions blocking maritime traffic.
The vote comes at a tense moment. Trump has given Iran until midnight to agree to a deal to reopen the strait or face large-scale U.S. strikes on key infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.
Iran has effectively blocked the strait since the war began in late February, disrupting global oil supplies and shaking markets worldwide.
The waterway is one of the most important routes for energy shipments, carrying about a fifth of the world’s oil.
Bahrain, which helped push the resolution, says the situation is hurting not just the region but the global economy.
But disagreements among Security Council members have slowed progress, with the risk of a veto from Russia or China still hanging over the vote.
The draft resolution also calls for an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, warning that such actions could lead to a dangerous escalation.
French officials have stressed that hitting civilian infrastructure would violate international law and could trigger a wider crisis with serious global consequences.
Despite the tensions, there are still diplomatic efforts underway behind the scenes, with mediators trying to broker a deal between both sides.
For now, the outcome of the vote and whether it changes anything on the ground remains uncertain, as the world watches closely with the clock ticking down.
