US and Gulf Arab Nations Draft UN Resolution Condemning Iran for Blocking Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Gulf Arab nations including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution to condemn Iran for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran did in response to a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign. U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz announced on Monday, May 4, 2026, that the resolution will demand Iran cease attacks on merchant shipping, stop imposing tolls, remove sea mines, and disclose mine locations in the strategic waterway. The effort comes after Russia and China blocked a broader resolution in April 2026, prompting the U.S. to pursue a narrower approach focused on mining and tolling that affects global economies, particularly in Asia. Negotiations are taking place during a ceasefire with Iran.

U.S. and Gulf Arab Nations Draft New UN Resolution Against Iran

• ▪The United States and Gulf Arab nations are drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution designed to condemn Iran for blocking the Strait of Hormuz
• ▪Mike Waltz described the draft U.N. Security Council resolution as a narrower effort than the previous failed resolution
• ▪Mike Waltz stated the draft U.N. Security Council resolution is focused on mining international waterways and tolling, which affects economies worldwide, particularly those in Asia
• ▪U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz announced the U.N. Security Council resolution drafting on Monday, May 4
• ▪The U.N. Security Council resolution is expected to require Iran to cease attacks on merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
• ▪The U.S. is co-drafting the new U.N. Security Council resolution with Bahrain with input from Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia
• ▪The U.N. Security Council resolution will demand Iran stop placing sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz
• ▪Negotiations on the U.N. Security Council resolution against Iran will take place during the week of May 4, 2026
• ▪The draft U.N. Security Council resolution is being developed while a ceasefire is in place with Iran

Previous Failed Resolution and Diplomatic Context

• ▪The previous U.N. Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz was blocked in April 2026
• ▪Russia and China blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution last month that Washington hoped would galvanize international efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

Perspective of United States and Gulf Arab nations

• ▪Mike Waltz characterized the draft U.N. Security Council resolution as focused on issues affecting economies worldwide, particularly Asian economies
• ▪The U.S. and Gulf Arab nations are framing Iran's Strait of Hormuz actions as mining international waterways and imposing tolls on global shipping
• ▪The U.S. and Gulf Arab nations are pursuing a narrower U.N. Security Council resolution strategy after the previous broader resolution failed

Perspective of Iran

• ▪Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz as a retaliatory measure following a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic

Perspective of Russia and China

• ▪Russia and China used their U.N. Security Council veto power to block Washington's efforts to galvanize international action on Strait of Hormuz navigation freedom
• ▪Russia and China blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution in April 2026 that would have addressed Iran's Strait of Hormuz actions