Russia opposes US-backed resolution on Hormuz at UNSC

Russia on Friday opposed a United States-backed resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as yet another attempt to heighten tensions in the region. Speaking ahead of the vote during a United Nations Security Council meeting on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, made Moscow’s opposition clear. Nebenzya said Russia would not endorse any proposal that places sole blame on Iran while ignoring the deeper factors behind the ongoing regional unrest. “Moscow opposes all attempts to push a one-sided narrative against Iran,” he said, adding that the real causes and triggers of the conflict must also be confronted. He cautioned that approving what Russia considers an unbalanced resolution could trigger another phase of instability across the Middle East. The Russian envoy stressed that lasting maritime security in the Persian Gulf cannot be achieved through unilateral accusations or escalatory actions, but rather by ending active conflicts and stopping military operations. Russia also urged fellow Security Council members to avoid measures that could intensify the crisis and refrain from introducing resolutions that may provoke further confrontation. The draft resolution, introduced by the US and backed by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, called on Iran to stop attacks and withdraw restrictive toll measures in the Strait of Hormuz.