Bahrain's UN proposal calling for 'all necessary means' to open Strait of Hormuz faces opposition

A U.N. Security Council resolution calling for countries to use “all necessary means” to keep the Strait of Hormuz open is facing some opposition for raising the possibility of U.N.-backed military action against Iran, according to three council diplomats.

Bahrain put forward the proposal, which was obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, as world powers grapple with how to release Iran’s chokehold on the crucial waterway, which has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and threatened the world economy.

The draft resolution would authorize countries or naval partnerships to use military action to secure passage and “to repress, neutralize and deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.” It also demands that Iran “immediately cease all attacks against merchant and commercial vessels” and stop impeding freedom of navigation in and around the vital waterway, which is impacting international trade, energy security and the global economy.

One of the diplomats said the draft was being reworked Tuesday after a number of countries raised concerns about the resolution being placed under Chapter Seven of the U.N. Charter, which allows the council to authorize actions ranging from sanctions to the use of force.

Bahrain, the Arab representative on the U.N.’s most powerful body, is one of numerous countries in the region to be targeted by Iranian drones or missiles since the U.S. and Israel began striking Iran on Feb. 28. It’s unclear if the U.S., which holds the council presidency this month, has thrown its support behind the measure, but U.S. envoy Mike Waltz has previously stated America’s preference for regional leadership on this issue.

China and Russia — both veto-wielding members of the 15-member council — are among the countries that are opposed to the current text, according to one of the diplomats.