New York – US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, launched a blistering attack on Tehran during a high-level Security Council session, describing its practices in the Strait of Hormuz as “piracy” and “hostage-taking.” Waltz asserted that global waterways are not “bargaining chips” for any nation, accusing Iran of using the strait as its own moat to blackmail the international community. These strong remarks come amid US allegations that Iran has indiscriminately planted naval mines, which Waltz labeled an “international crime” requiring accountability, noting that US forces are already working to clear the area to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels.
“A Coalition of Necessity”: US Call for Decisive Action Under Bahraini Presidency
These discussions occurred during a session convened by the Kingdom of Bahrain, as the President of the Security Council for this month, titled “Safety and Protection of Waterways.” The US Envoy stressed that the time has come to form a “coalition of like-minded partners” to intervene with real capabilities and protect global trade. Obviously, the US pressure comes at a critical juncture, as navigation in the strait remains largely at a standstill due to military tensions since February, directly impacting global energy supplies and financial markets.
International Impasse Facing the Veto: Can Diplomacy Reopen the Strait “Unconditionally”?
Despite US warnings and UN calls by Antonio Guterres for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the strait, division remains the dominant theme within the Security Council. Accordingly, analysts believe that the use of the “Veto” by Russia and China against draft resolutions authorizing the use of force complicates the mission of securing waterways. At the conclusion of the session, a joint statement was issued renewing the demand to open the Strait of Hormuz, but the field reality remains dependent on the success of regional mediations, amid continuous US threats of a devastating response to any further Iranian attempts to obstruct navigation or plant mines.
