The UAE has thrown its weight behind a Bahrain-led draft resolution at the UN Security Council that would authorise member states to take defensive action in support of safe vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Ship & Bunker.
The UAE Mission to the UN confirmed its backing via a social media post on Thursday, signalling broad regional alignment on the proposal. Bahrain has tabled the draft resolution with support from fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states as well as Jordan.
What the Resolution Proposes
The draft resolution, as reported by Ship & Bunker, reaffirms that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international navigation and cannot be closed or controlled by any single state. It would authorise UN member states to take “exclusively defensive measures” to protect vessels and deter any actions that threaten freedom of transit passage — while requiring full compliance with international law and humanitarian obligations.
The framework would also lay the groundwork for coordinated international efforts to maintain open sea lanes, potentially enabling naval deployments through the critical waterway.
Transparency and Oversight Mechanisms
To ensure accountability, states operating under the mandate would be required to notify the UN and report on their actions. The draft also calls for a dedicated UN-led monitoring mechanism, with the Secretary-General tasked with delivering monthly updates to the Security Council.
A More Measured Approach
Ship & Bunker notes that an earlier Bahraini proposal had called for “all necessary measures” — language that has since been scaled back in the current version. The revised wording is understood to be a deliberate effort to reduce the risk of vetoes from permanent Security Council members.
For the resolution to pass, it would need at least nine votes in favour with no vetoes from any of the five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France. A vote that had been scheduled for Friday was subsequently postponed, according to a social media post by the UN.
Why This Matters for Shipping
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically vital maritime chokepoints, handling approximately 20% of global oil flows, as reported by Ship & Bunker. Any disruption to transit through the strait carries significant consequences for energy markets and international shipping operations alike.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
