America and Gulf States Draft UN Resolution on Strait of Hormuz.. What Are the Most Prominent Clauses?

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, stated on Monday that the United States and Gulf states are working on drafting a UN Security Council resolution seeking to condemn Iran for closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Waltz added, during a press conference via phone, that negotiations on the draft resolution will take place this week, and this comes after Russia and China, permanent members of the UN Security Council, blocked a resolution last month that Washington had hoped would spur international efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the maritime passage.

The US ambassador told reporters that the United States is participating in drafting the new resolution with Bahrain, with contributions from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

Waltz indicated that the draft resolution represents "a more specific endeavor" than the previous resolution that failed to pass, and it comes at a time when a ceasefire with Iran is in effect.

Most Prominent Clauses of the Draft Resolution

"Al-Sharq" reviewed the details of the draft resolution, which is scheduled to be distributed to Security Council members on Tuesday.

The draft resolution strongly condemns "the repeated attacks and threats" by Iran against commercial ships, in addition to activities that obstruct freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including laying naval mines and imposing illegal fees.

The draft considers these acts to constitute a threat to international peace and security, placing them under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and opening the door to binding measures.

Chapter VII of the UN Charter

It establishes the legal framework upon which the organization relies in dealing with threats to international peace and security.

It authorizes the Security Council to take provisional measures to prevent the escalation of conflict.

It requests parties to take provisional measures to contain the situation before resorting to sanctions or the use of force.

It authorizes the Council to impose non-military coercive measures, such as:

Economic sanctions.

Severance of diplomatic relations.

Travel bans.

Asset freezes.

Suspension of communications or transport.

If sanctions fail, the Security Council may authorize the use of military force, through:

Air, naval, or land operations.

Imposing a blockade.

Direct military intervention, which is the highest degree of international intervention.

The draft resolution affirms that all ships and aircraft enjoy the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz without any unlawful obstruction, according to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The draft calls on Iran to immediately cease all attacks and threats against commercial ships, and any attempts to obstruct navigation.

The draft also obligates Tehran to disclose the numbers and locations of naval mines it has laid in and around the strait, and to work on removing them, without obstructing the efforts of other states in mine clearance operations.

The draft resolution demands that Iran cooperate with the United Nations to establish a humanitarian corridor in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the flow of essential goods, including food and fertilizers, which the draft indicates have been affected by recent measures.

It also prohibits any member state from providing support to Iran in closing the Strait of Hormuz or imposing restrictions on navigation therein, while simultaneously affirming the right of states to defend their ships against attacks, in accordance with international law.

The draft expresses support for ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region, including extending the ceasefire between the United States and Iran mediated by Pakistan.

The draft resolution requests the Secretary-General to submit a report within 30 days on the implementation of the resolution's clauses, while indicating that the Security Council is prepared to consider taking additional measures, including imposing sanctions, in case of non-compliance.

Most Prominent Clauses of the US-Gulf Draft Resolution Before the Security Council

Condemnation of repeated attacks and threats by Iran against commercial ships, in addition to activities that obstruct freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including laying naval mines and imposing illegal fees.

Affirmation that Iranian acts constitute a threat to international peace and security, placing them under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and opening the door to binding measures.

Affirmation that all ships and aircraft enjoy the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz without any unlawful obstruction, according to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Calling on Iran to immediately cease all attacks and threats against commercial ships, and any attempts to obstruct navigation.

Obligating Tehran to disclose the numbers and locations of naval mines it has laid in and around the strait, and to work on removing them, without obstructing the efforts of other states in mine clearance operations.

Demanding that Iran cooperate with the United Nations to establish a humanitarian corridor in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the flow of essential goods, including food and fertilizers, which the draft indicates have been affected by recent measures.

Prohibiting any state from providing support to Iran in closing the Strait of Hormuz or imposing restrictions on navigation therein.

Affirmation of the right of states to defend their ships against attacks, in accordance with international law.

Support for ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region, including extending the ceasefire between the United States and Iran mediated by Pakistan.

Demanding that the UN Secretary-General submit a report within 30 days on the implementation of the resolution's clauses, while indicating that the Security Council is prepared to consider taking additional measures, including imposing sanctions, in case of non-compliance.

Al-Sharq