Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani delivered a sharp rebuke of Iran at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday, warning that Tehran’s actions threaten global economic stability, especially through risks to maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Addressing the council, Al Zayani praised international efforts to maintain stability but pointed to what he described as escalating Iranian aggression, including attacks on Gulf states and Jordan using ballistic missiles and drones targeting “civilian infrastructure and vital facilities.”
He highlighted a resolution recently submitted to the council by Bahrain meant to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and said he hopes for a council vote on Friday. If passed, the resolution would authorize "all necessary means" to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait.
"We look forward to a unified position from this esteemed Council during the vote that will take place on the draft resolution tomorrow, God willing," Al Zayani told a meeting of the 15-member council, which Bahrain currently chairs.
China opposes use of force in Hormuz
Despite Al Zayani's optimistic tone, Bahrain’s draft resolution is expected to face obstacles, with China signaling opposition. Speaking to UNSC on Thursday, China's UN envoy Fu Cong made clear Beijing's opposition to authorizing member states to use force.
He said this would be "legitimizing the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences."
Diplomats said a text had subsequently been finalized, or "put in blue," which means a vote can take place. They said this would take place on Friday morning, when a Security Council meeting has been scheduled, even though it is a UN holiday.
A Security Council resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from its five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France.
Bahrain urges a "decisive response"
During Thursday's UNSC session, Al Zayani condemned Iran's "unlawful and unjustified attempt to control international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," which threatened the interests of nations and peoples around the world and "requires a decisive response." The minister said the broad backing to Bahrain's draft resolution reflected “the international community’s strong rejection” of Tehran’s conduct.
The minister went on to warn that Iran’s actions amount to “unlawful attempts to control international navigation,” stressing that such moves pose a direct risk to global trade and energy security and require a “decisive response” from the international community.
Beyond the immediate tensions, Bahrain used the session to push for deeper coordination between the UN and regional organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, arguing that stronger partnerships are needed to address mounting global security challenges.
The secretary-general of the 22-member League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, told the Security Council it backed Bahrain's efforts to secure a resolution.
The remarks come amid heightened concern over potential disruptions to shipping routes in the Gulf, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a focal point of geopolitical tension as the conflict continues to escalate.