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World
Saudi Arabia warns any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade artery, alarms the world during a UN Security Council session.
The Strait of Hormuz represents a "vital artery for global trade," Saudi Arabia's UN envoy Abdulaziz Al-Wasil told the Security Council during a session dedicated to developments in the waterway. Any hindrance to its security "causes concern," he warned, as the council considered a draft resolution calling for the protection of international navigation freedom and rejecting the imposition of restrictions or fees on vessel transit.
Bahrain's envoy Jamal Al-Ruwei, whose country tabled the resolution, stressed the necessity of keeping the strait open. He framed the proposal as a support for regional peace efforts, specifically addressing the planting of mines and the levying of "illegal fees" on navigation.
The United States characterized Iran's actions in the strait as a "violation of several international resolutions," urging Tehran to remove mines and cease threatening international navigation or imposing transit fees. The UAE's representative, Mohamed Abushahab, emphasized that the draft resolution reinforces respect for international law and rejects any navigation restrictions, warning of the impact on supply chains, food security, and global economic stability.
Qatar cautioned against the severe repercussions of closing the strait on energy security and supply chains. Kuwait's deputy envoy insisted that international maritime passages must remain "open, safe, and free from threats."
CNN reported that the Trump administration's "Project Freedom" initiative, designed to redirect ships through the Strait of Hormuz, achieved only limited success. The operation lasted just 48 hours, with only two vessels crossing under US military protection. Shipping companies continue to refuse the risk despite a ceasefire, citing ongoing rocket flights over the strait and fears of attacks or massive financial losses, as insurers remain hesitant to cover ships in war zones.
Shipping industry officials told CNN that confidence in safe navigation has not been restored. A return to normal vessel traffic requires a "real peace agreement" guaranteeing safe passage through the strait, where roughly 120 ships transit daily, carrying about 20% of the world's oil supply.
