Manama: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has emphasized the urgent need for international intervention to address the escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which has expanded from initial Iranian threats to a global emergency impacting food security and international law.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Al Zayani noted that since February 28, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by over 90%, with repercussions extending beyond energy markets to global food security. The United Nations has warned of potential fertilizer shortages and increased hunger risks, projecting that an additional 45 million people could face acute hunger, and around 4 million people in the Arab world could be pushed into poverty.
The Foreign Minister stressed that the situation's global impact led Bahrain to propose a draft resolution to the Security Council, highlighting the issue as a global emergency, not merely a regional conflict. The Security Council's Resolution 2817, co-sponsored by 136 Member States, declared Iran's actions illegal, but Iran has not complied, necessitating further Council action.
Dr. Al Zayani warned that inaction could lead to crises marked by failed harvests and heightened instability in vulnerable countries, emphasizing that the threat primarily affects the Global South. He called for immediate measures to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy, food, medicine, and fertilizers essential to millions.
He stated that the draft resolution provides the legal and operational framework needed to secure navigation freedom in the Strait of Hormuz and to prevent further violations. The resolution seeks to uphold international law without escalating tensions.
The Foreign Minister highlighted that any failure to respond would imply that critical global trade routes could be endangered without repercussions. He mentioned Bahrain's efforts to foster a unified Security Council stance and the postponement of the vote to achieve international consensus.
Dr. Al Zayani urged the Security Council to approve the draft resolution, emphasizing that the Council's credibility depends on its readiness to act when international law is challenged. He reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is a global passageway and the Council must take decisive action.