Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax, carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia, that arrived clearing the Strait of Hormuz, is seen at the Mumbai Port in Mumbai, India. AP
The resolution, due to be put to a vote on Tuesday, focuses on maritime security and freedom of navigation, while encouraging states to coordinate on a “defensive” basis. Diplomats say the text has been weakened in recent days in an effort to avoid a veto.
Inside the text
The resolution states that all ships and aircraft “shall enjoy the right of transit passage, which shall not be impeded,” through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It “strongly encourages” states interested in commercial maritime routes in the strait to coordinate efforts “, defensive in nature” to ensure the safety and security of navigation, including escorting vessels and deterring attempts to obstruct international navigation.
At the same time, it sets legal limits, requesting that any such measures fully comply with international humanitarian law and applicable human rights law and respect the navigation rights of third states.
The draft “demands” that Iran immediately cease all attacks against merchant and commercial vessels and any attempts to impede transit passage or freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. It also calls for the cessation of attacks against civilian infrastructure, including water and desalination facilities, as well as oil and gas installations.
It further determines that Iran’s actions near and around the strait, including recurring threats and interference with navigation, constitute a threat to international peace and security.
The text also addresses wider maritime risks, condemning threats to navigation in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, and warning that interference with international waterways poses a serious threat to global security.
It urges de-escalation in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman, and calls for a return to diplomacy, while requesting regular reporting from the UN Secretary-General on further incidents.
Limits of the resolution
The draft does not authorize the use of force. Instead, it confines itself to encouraging defensive coordination and reaffirming existing legal rights.
It also explicitly states that it applies only to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and does not affect broader international law or establish customary legal precedent.
The vote is expected on Tuesday at 11:00 am (5:00 pm CLT), though the outcome remains uncertain.
The current draft falls short of earlier proposals by Gulf states, which had sought a clear UN mandate allowing states to use force to reopen the strategic waterway.
According to diplomats, objections from veto-wielding members, including France, Russia, and China, led to multiple revisions and delays. Language emphasizing that any coordinated action should be “defensive in nature” helped address some concerns.
The push for action follows weeks of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran restricted maritime traffic, allowing only limited passage while barring vessels it says are linked to the US‑Israel war with Tehran that began on 28 February with American and Israeli strikes.
Iran has permitted ships from countries that have not supported the US‑Israel war—such as France, Japan, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Russia, and China—to transit the strait.
It has also moved to impose tolls on vessels passing through Hormuz and announced plans to coordinate monitoring with Oman, drawing criticism from some Gulf countries.
The Security Council had already adopted a resolution in mid-March condemning Iran’s actions.
Deadline for agreement
The vote comes just hours before US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to bomb Iran’s power plants if no agreement is reached between Washington and Tehran. The Tuesday 8:00 pm (2:00 am CLT Wednesday) deadline is the third such ultimatum in as many weeks.
Despite the changes to the draft, diplomats say Russia and China could still veto the resolution.
Ahead of Trump’s deadline, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned Arab Gulf countries "that, until now, due to good neighbourliness, Iran has shown great restraint and considered various factors in choosing retaliatory targets."
"However, from now on, all these considerations have been lifted," the IRGC statement added.
As Trump’s Tuesday ultimatum approaches, Qatar’s prime minister, whose country has been hit hard by Iranian missile and drone attacks, issued a stark warning against attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "emphasized that targeting civilian infrastructure... is a rejected and condemned behaviour by any party under any circumstances," the Qatari foreign ministry said in a readout of his call with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi.
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