U.S. Senator Marco Rubio called a U.S.-authored U.N. draft resolution on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz a test of the United Nations' credibility, urging China and Russia not to veto it. The draft, prepared with several Gulf states and framed under Chapter VII, demands Iran stop attacks, disclose mine locations and permit clearance and humanitarian corridors. Diplomats hope to circulate a final text by Friday and hold a Security Council vote early next week, while Moscow and Beijing weigh competing proposals. Recent clashes and new multinational security initiatives, including the Maritime Freedom Construct, have increased urgency.
Rubio Says Hormuz Resolution Tests U.N.'s Credibility, Urges China and Russia Not To Veto
FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz is seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
WASHINGTON/PARIS, May 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Marco Rubio on Tuesday described a U.S.-led draft U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at stopping attacks and the laying of mines in the Strait of Hormuz as a test of the United Nations' effectiveness, and he urged China and Russia not to use their vetoes again.
Members of the Security Council began closed-door negotiations on a text the United States prepared with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. If adopted, the resolution could pave the way for sanctions on Iran and, if Tehran fails to comply, potentially lead to additional measures under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter.
Fresh exchanges of fire on Monday highlighted the risks to the narrow waterway — a vital corridor for global energy and trade — and undermined a fragile four-week truce, reinforcing competing maritime blockades in the region.
A prior Bahraini resolution, backed by the United States and seen as opening a path to legitimize potential military action, failed last month after Russia and China vetoed the text in the 15-member council. The new U.S. draft deliberately avoids explicit language authorising force while still operating under Chapter VII, which permits a range of measures from sanctions to military action.
"Everyone wouldn't want to see this vetoed again, and we've made some slight adjustments to the language,"Rubio told reporters at a White House news briefing. He added:
"I don't know if it will avoid a veto or not. I think it's a real test to the U.N. ... as something that functions."
The draft obtained by Reuters condemns what it describes as Iran's violations of the existing ceasefire and its "continuing actions and threats aimed at closing, obstructing, tolling" freedom of navigation through the strait. It demands Iran immediately cease attacks, disclose the locations of any mines and refrain from impeding mine‑clearance operations.
"All we're asking them to do is to condemn it, to call on Iran to stop blowing (up) ships, to remove these mines and to allow humanitarian relief to come through," Rubio said, urging Beijing and Moscow to consider their broader interests in keeping international waterways open and stable.
The draft also calls on Tehran to cooperate with U.N. efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor through the strait, noting disruptions to aid deliveries, fertilizer shipments and other essential goods. Under the proposal, the U.N. secretary-general would report back within 30 days on implementation; the Security Council would reconvene to consider additional steps, including possible sanctions, if Iran failed to comply.
Diplomatic Push And Competing Texts
Diplomats said Washington hopes to conclude negotiations quickly, aiming to circulate a final draft by Friday and hold a vote early next week. Russia and China, however, continue to consider a competing text. China's U.N. mission said it was still assessing the draft, while Russia's mission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric declined to comment on the draft but emphasized the need for safe, open navigation through the strait.
Monday's escalation included U.S. officials saying they destroyed six Iranian small boats and Iranian reports that missiles struck a UAE oil port. These incidents followed Washington's launch of "Project Freedom," an effort to move stranded tankers and other vessels through Hormuz.
Separately, Washington has circulated a proposal for a multinational maritime coalition, the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), intended to help establish a post‑conflict security architecture for the Middle East and reopen the strait once conditions stabilize. The MFC would complement a Franco‑British maritime planning effort involving about 30 countries and would coordinate closely with other partners. Some states have said any mission involving military assets would require a U.N. mandate before committing forces.
(Reporting by John Irish; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by William Maclean and Deepa Babington)
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