AP
United Nations, Updated At: 11:33 AM May 06, 2026 IST
The United States and several Gulf partners have circulated a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that would threaten Iran with sanctions or other measures unless it ends attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, stops imposing what the drafters call “illegal tolls,” and discloses the locations of all naval mines to guarantee freedom of navigation.
The text, obtained by The Associated Press, also calls on Iran to “immediately participate in and enable” U.N.-led efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor through the strait for delivery of essential aid, fertilizer and other goods.
The initiative follows an earlier, watered-down resolution aimed at reopening the strait that China and Russia vetoed just hours before Washington and Tehran announced a temporary ceasefire in early April.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is continuing “to hold the world’s economy hostage” by attempting to shut the strait, threatening ships, laying mines and seeking to levy fees on passage through a key sea lane. Rubio said he hopes the new resolution will be brought to a vote soon, while acknowledging doubts about whether changes to the draft can avoid a veto from Iran’s allies on the council.
One of the revisions removes language authorizing the use of force, shifting the emphasis toward the possibility of sanctions instead. U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz told reporters he believes the narrower text has a better chance of winning the support needed in the 15-member council without triggering vetoes.
The renewed push comes as the Biden administration seeks to restore unfettered passage through the strait, which handled roughly 20% of the world’s crude oil before the Feb. 28 outbreak of hostilities involving the U.S. and Israel. A fragile ceasefire remains in effect.
Drafted under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter — the provision that allows for enforcement measures, including military action — the resolution warns that “effective measures that are commensurate with the gravity of the situation, including sanctions,” could follow if Iran does not comply. An earlier version that removed the Chapter VII reference nonetheless was met with a veto.
A Security Council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are sensitive, said disagreement has resurfaced over language that singles out Iran without similarly mentioning U.S. and Israeli strikes, an issue that has complicated previous attempts to pass resolutions on the Hormuz crisis.
