Manama: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that the ongoing discussions at the United Nations on the draft resolution submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain to the UN Security Council regarding the Strait of Hormuz, stem from a collective responsibility to safeguard international peace and stability and preserve freedom of maritime navigation.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Foreign Minister underscored the need to clarify the resolution's objective, noting that any move by the Islamic Republic of Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz would be an unlawful and reckless act, amounting to a deliberate attempt to hold the global economy hostage. Such an action would harm energy security, disrupt global trade and food supplies, raise the prices of energy, food, and fertilizers, and severely impact vulnerable populations worldwide.
Dr. Al Zayani pointed out that UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), adopted on March 11, called on Iran to immediately refrain from any actions or threats aimed at closing, obstructing, or interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but that it has not complied with its provisions. The Foreign Minister emphasised that no single country can address this threat alone, and that maintaining the smooth flow of navigation requires a coordinated international response through established legal frameworks. He added that the goal of the Gulf Cooperation Council states is to uphold international law and restore unimpeded transit passage, ensuring safe navigation and the continued flow of global trade.
Dr. Al Zayani further explained that the proposed resolution focuses specifically on protecting the right of transit passage and preventing the unlawful closure of this vital international waterway. He stressed that the aim is not escalation, but reopening a key artery of the global economy and preventing the crisis from worsening, while also laying the groundwork for a diplomatic solution through a clear legal framework that supports renewed dialogue.
The Foreign Minister warned that continued disruption to navigation would have serious humanitarian and economic consequences worldwide, and cautioned that allowing Iran to evade the consequences of such violations would weaken the international system, undermine confidence in the Security Council, and set a dangerous precedent. Dr. Al Zayani reiterated Bahrain's call on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and act decisively to protect international navigation and preserve regional and global security and stability.