Gulf countries call on UN Security Council to authorize use of force to open Hormuz Strait

The secretary general of the Gulf Co-operation Council said Iran has blocked the strait, preventing the passage of commercial ships and tanks, as well as setting conditions for allowing their passage.

“We call on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and undertake all necessary measures to protect maritime corridors and ensure the freedom of international navigation”, he said.

For about ten days, the Council's 15 members are discussing a draft resolution submitted by Bahrain, which would authorise a state or coalition of states to use “all necessary tools” to ensure the freedom of navigation at Hormuz.

However, the initiative has faced strong objections from Russia, China and France, countries that have veto rights to the Security Council. Russian representatives have stressed that a balanced solution addressing the roots of the crisis is required, not a unilateral decision.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron named a military operation for “the liberation” of Hormuz as <x2 realistic”).

On the other hand, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US and Israeli attacks on Iran constitute a clear “violation of international law” and stressed that the Security Council should focus on lowering tensions, not on escalation of them.

China, one of Iran's main economic partners and its biggest oil buyer -- most of which runs through Hormuz -- has sought diplomatic solution to the crisis, while also presenting a five-point plan for stabilising the situation, Panorama reports. Periscope.

In the meantime, Bahrain expresses optimism about adopting the draft. The country's foreign minister said a joint position in the upcoming Security Council vote is expected.

The latest version of the draft resolution envisions the use of force in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, but stresses that any action must have a defensive character. /Periscope