Bahrain Moves to Protect Shipping in the Hormuz Strait

Bahrain has released a revised version of a United Nations draft aimed at keeping ships safe in the Strait of Hormuz. The change removes a direct link to strong enforcement rules, yet retains wording that could allow countries to act if needed.

The waterway is vital because about 20 % of the world’s oil travels through it. The Gulf region relies heavily on this trade route, and recent attacks by Iran have slowed shipping to almost a standstill.

The original draft—backed by Bahrain, other Gulf states and the United States—called for actions under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, which can include sanctions or even military force. That language was expected to face a veto from Russia or China, making approval unlikely.

In the revised text, Bahrain drops the explicit Chapter VII reference while keeping similar language that lets individual states or joint naval groups use “all necessary means” to protect passage. The proposal also urges countries that depend on the strait to work together, for example by escorting merchant ships.

Diplomats say the new version may be voted on soon, possibly this Thursday, but it remains under discussion. The goal is to keep shipping open while avoiding a confrontation that could involve the permanent members of the Security Council.