UAE disappointed at UN Security Council's failure to act on Strait of Hormuz crisis

The UAE has expressed its deep disappointment at the UN Security Council’s failure to take decisive action to address the global repercussions caused by Iran's illegal closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The draft resolution focused on encouraging States to coordinate defensive efforts to promote and secure freedom of navigation.

Furthermore, it condemned any attempt to obstruct international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and demanded that Iran immediately cease its attacks against commercial vessels and any attempt to undermine the freedom of navigation.

Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, asserted that "no country should have the power to shut down the arteries of global commerce. The Security Council had a responsibility to act, and it failed".

"The Strait of Hormuz cannot become a bargaining chip for Iran, nor a lever in wider global politics," he added.

Lana Nusseibeh, Minister of State, declared that "Iran is holding the world hostage by closing the Strait of Hormuz".

"Closing a global chokepoint is an attack on every family paying more for gas, every farmer struggling with fertilizer costs, and every nation dependent on open seas," she stressed.

"The UAE will not stand idly by. We will continue to work with international partners - at the UN and beyond - to reopen the Strait and ensure that economic terrorism does not determine how much people around the world pay for food and fuel. The international community must act now to reopen the Strait and restore stability to global markets."

Since February 28, Iran has carried out at least 21 direct attacks on commercial vessels, killing more than 10 crew members, while 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on ships unable to safely transit out of the Strait due to Iranian threats.

The UAE also thanked Bahrain for putting forward the resolution on behalf of the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The UAE affirmed its unwavering commitment to collective international efforts aimed at safeguarding maritime security and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global trade. Furthermore, the UAE said it will continue to engage constructively in international processes, consistent with international law and the UN Charter, to address this crisis and protect the global economy.