Russia and China used their veto power at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday to block a resolution designed to protect navigation rights through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a critical passage for global oil shipments.
The resolution was sponsored by the United States, United Kingdom, and France, who argued that recent incidents in the region threatened international shipping. "Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law," said U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield during the council session.
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun stated that the resolution "failed to address the root causes of regional tensions" and would "only escalate confrontation." Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the proposal "politically motivated" and "unbalanced."
The Strait of Hormuz is approximately 21 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point, with shipping lanes just two miles wide in each direction. An estimated 21 million barrels of oil pass through daily, representing about 21% of global petroleum consumption.
Thursday's vote marked the fifth Security Council veto by Russia this year and the third by China. The remaining 13 council members voted in favor of the resolution, but permanent member vetoes prevent its adoption.