At the UN, Moscow and Beijing veto the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz

Russia and China on Tuesday prevented the UN Security Council from adopting an already watered-down text calling for the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz, to the great dismay of the Gulf countries who initially hoped for a green light to free it by force.

The draft resolution carried by Bahrain, modified several times to try to avoid a veto, received 11 votes for, two against (Russia and China) and two abstentions (Pakistan and Colombia).

This vote comes a few hours before the expiration of Donald Trump's ultimatum. The American president gave Iran until Tuesday 8:00 p.m. Washington time (midnight GMT) to unblock navigation in this vital sea lane, otherwise threatening to eradicate "an entire civilization".

Comments that the Iranian ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, described Tuesday before the Council as "deeply irresponsible", accusing Donald Trump of revealing "openly his intention to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity".

He also accused the text proposed by Bahrain of "punishing the victim" of Israeli-American attacks and of "providing the aggressors with political and diplomatic protection for other illegal actions."

The rejection of the resolution "does not prevent the United States from continuing to act in self-defense and to defend our allies and partners. And President Trump will continue the necessary actions to defend our people and the free world", reacted the American ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, just after the vote.

This vote "sends the wrong signal to the world": that threats against shipping lanes do not provoke "decisive action on the part of the organization responsible for maintaining international peace and security", lamented the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, Abdoullatif ben Rashid Al Zayani. Before warning that the "patience" and "restraint" of the Gulf countries in the face of Iranian attacks had "limits".

Supported by the Gulf countries and the United States, Bahrain launched negotiations two weeks ago on a text which would have authorized any State or coalition of States to use "all necessary means" to guarantee the safety of ships and prevent the blockage of the strait.

But this idea has led to strong objections, notably from France, Russia and China.

- Alternative resolution -

The addition last week of a wording stipulating that the means used could only be "defensive" had removed French opposition.

After final modifications to try to also convince Russia, Iran's long-time ally, and China, the latest text version no longer spoke of authorization of the use of force, even defensively.

It "strongly encouraged the States" concerned "to coordinate efforts, of a defensive nature and proportionate to the circumstances,