Bahrain Leads Push for UN “Force” Resolution to Secure Strait of Hormuz
Bahrain Leads Push for UN “Force” Resolution to Secure Strait of Hormuz
By Gemini News Service March 24, 2026
MANAMA, Bahrain — In a dramatic diplomatic escalation, the Kingdom of Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that would authorize member states to use “all necessary means” to ensure the safety of international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposal, which represents the most aggressive diplomatic move by a Gulf state since the conflict began on February 28, effectively calls for a UN-mandated international naval coalition to break the de facto blockade imposed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The “All Necessary Means” Mandate
The draft resolution, heavily backed by the United States and several members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), uses the specific “Chapter VII” language typically reserved for authorizing military force. The document accuses Iran of “direct and systematic threats to international peace and security” through:
- Attacks on Commercial Vessels: Citing the dozens of tankers damaged by limpet mines and drone strikes over the past month.
- Disruption of Navigation: Highlighting the near-total halt of energy exports through the world’s most vital maritime chokepoint.
- Global Economic Sabotage: Arguing that the volatility in oil markets—currently hovering near $100 per barrel—is a direct result of Tehran’s “maritime terrorism.”
A Unified Gulf Front
Bahrain’s move follows reports from the Wall Street Journal that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are edging closer to active participation in the war. By taking the lead at the UN, Manama is providing a legal framework for what President Trump has called a “Global Maritime Coalition.”
“The era of allowing a single rogue actor to hold the world’s energy supply hostage is over,” a senior Bahraini diplomat stated. “This resolution provides the legal path for those who wish to defend the freedom of navigation to do so with the world’s blessing.”
The Great Power Deadlock
Despite the high stakes, the resolution faces a near-certain death sentence in New York. Both Russia and China, who hold permanent veto power on the Security Council, have signaled their staunch opposition to any measure that authorizes Western-led military force in the Gulf.
- The Russian Stance: Moscow has characterized the draft as a “provocation” designed to provide a legal veneer for U.S. regime-change efforts in Tehran.
- The Chinese Interest: While Beijing is the primary victim of energy disruptions in the Strait, it remains wary of any UN precedent that expands U.S. naval authority in strategic waterways—a concern that mirrors its own sensitivities in the South China Sea.
The “Plan B” Strategy
Diplomatic observers suggest that the U.S. and its Gulf allies are fully aware the resolution will likely be vetoed. Instead, the move is seen as a “legitimacy play.” By forcing a public vote, the coalition aims to:
- Isolate Russia and China by portraying them as protectors of maritime instability.
- Establish a Moral Mandate for a “Coalition of the Willing” to act outside of UN structures if the blockade continues.
- Pressure Iran during the current five-day pause in strikes, showing that the international community—led by its neighbors—is losing patience.
As the UN Security Council prepares for an emergency session later this week, the waters of the Persian Gulf remain a tinderbox. Whether the “all necessary means” clause ever becomes international law, the intent behind it has made one thing clear: the Gulf states are no longer content to sit on the sidelines of the war at their doorstep.