Gulf States Call For Un To Authorise Force Against Iran Over Hormuz

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — a regional intergovernmental organization comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman — called on the UN Security Council today (April 2, 2026) to authorize the use of force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has closed the strategic waterway following the outbreak of war in the region.

“Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, preventing commercial vessels and tankers from passing and imposing conditions for allowing limited transit,” said GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi during the first Security Council meeting dedicated to cooperation with the GCC. “We urge the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and take all necessary measures to protect maritime corridors and ensure freedom of navigation,” he added. The Council’s 15 members have been debating a draft resolution submitted by Bahrain for about ten days.

The proposal would grant UN approval for a single country or coalition to use “all necessary means” to guarantee free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the idea faces strong opposition. Diplomatic sources indicate that Russia, China, and France — all permanent members with veto power — have voiced serious objections, despite multiple revisions to the text. “We seek a comprehensive Security Council decision that addresses the root causes of the crisis — not a one-sided, unbalanced resolution,” said Anna Evstigneeva, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.

French President Emmanuel Macron described a military operation to “liberate” the Strait as “unrealistic.” Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran as a “clear violation of international law.” Speaking after talks with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the European Union, Wang stressed that the Security Council must work to de-escalate — not legitimize or worsen — the conflict.

In separate calls with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Wang reiterated that the U.S.-Israeli military action lacked Security Council authorization and therefore violated international law. “The Council should focus on resolving the crisis — not lending legitimacy to unauthorized military operations, and certainly not further escalating tensions,” he said. China is Iran’s closest strategic partner and its largest buyer of oil — most of which transits the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Beijing maintains robust economic ties with Gulf states.

People Also Asked

• A Bid to Use Force to Open Strait of Hormuz Hits U.N. Roadblocks
• Gulf states call for UN approval to use force to secure Hormuz Strait ...
• Gulf states seek UNSC mandate for force to protect Hormuz; China ...
• Gulf States Seek UN Force to Open Hormuz - athens-times.com
• Gulf states seek UN mandate for force to protect Hormuz
• Gulf States call for UN to authorise force against Iran over Hormuz
• Putin, Erdogan hold phone talks on Persian Gulf tensions, calling for ...