The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday adopted a Bahrain-sponsored resolution condemning Iran’s retaliatory attacks on the territories of several Persian Gulf states as the crisis in the Middle East continues to escalate.
Thirteen of the Council’s 15 members voted in favor of the measure, while Russia and China abstained.
A separate resolution drafted by Russia calling for an immediate halt to all military action in the Middle East failed to pass.
The draft received four votes in favor — Russia, China, Pakistan and Somalia — two against, from the United States and Latvia, while nine members abstained. At least nine votes are required for a resolution to be adopted.
Both draft resolutions sought to address the widening war in the Middle East triggered by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on 28 February and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation across the region.
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U.S. President announced the launch of operations against Iran on February 28 after several rounds of indirect negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program. Washington has called for a guaranteed end to Iran’s nuclear weapons making ability.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said Moscow abstained on the Bahraini resolution because the text was “extremely unbalanced” and “does not meet the purpose” of maintaining international peace and security.
Speaking after the vote, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Islamabad supported both draft resolutions because the conflict required a comprehensive international response.
“This is a conflict that should never have happened,” he said, adding that it was unfortunate the Council could not unite behind a broader effort to end the fighting.
The Pakistani envoy warned that the consequences of the conflict were no longer confined to the immediate region.
“The conflict and its disastrous fallout are no longer isolated — the regional and global dimensions are obvious,” he said. Ahmad called for “an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities” and a return to negotiations.
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“Only a peaceful settlement will serve everyone’s interest,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the wider impact of the crisis, saying Pakistan had already been affected by the conflict.
“Our fuel supplies have been seriously hampered, obliging the government to take extraordinary measures to conserve the use of oil, gas and electricity,” he said. “Several essential aviation links have been severed, while others face disruptions.”
He added that two Pakistani nationals had been killed in attacks on the United Arab Emirates.
The Bahraini resolution — which has 135 co-sponsors — demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
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The resolution describes the attacks as a serious threat to regional stability and international peace and security.
It also reaffirms the right of merchant vessels to navigate international waters and condemns “any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in the Bab al-Mandeb.”
The resolution warns that any attempt to impede lawful passage in these waterways would pose a serious threat to international peace.
Iran has launched strikes on several Gulf states in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and caused widespread damage in the country.
Explaining Pakistan’s support for the Bahraini resolution, Ahmad said the vote reflected Islamabad’s solidarity with Gulf states.
“Our positive vote signifies Pakistan’s strong solidarity with the brotherly countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan,” he said.
“I reiterate Pakistan’s complete support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of all these countries.”
Following the vote, Bahrain’s UN Ambassador Jamal Alrowaiei thanked Council members on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
“This region is a lifeline for the global economy and a vital corridor for international trade and energy security,” he said.
“Ensuring the security of this region is not merely a regional concern. It is a shared international responsibility that is closely linked to the stability of the global economy.”
Russia’s ambassador criticized the adopted resolution, arguing that it failed to address attacks on Iran itself.
“The attacks against the territory of Iran itself — not to mention those who are behind them — are simply left out,” Nebenzya said.
“We’re deeply disappointed,” he added after Moscow’s resolution failed to gain enough support, saying some Council members were guided by short-term political interests and bloc solidarity.
China’s ambassador Fu Cong also expressed regret that the Russian draft was not adopted.
“This is a war that should not have happened, and a war that benefits no one,” he said.
Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani sharply criticized the adopted resolution.
“Today’s adoption is a serious setback to the Council’s credibility and leaves a lasting stain on its record,” he said.
“The very state responsible for the brutal war of aggression against my country — the United States — sits in the chamber as Council president while obstructing every effort to end this barbaric war,” he added.
“Let me make it clear — this resolution is a manifest injustice against my country, the main victim of a clear act of aggression.”
President Trump has indicated that the U.S. has weakened Iran’s missile launch capability and decimated its naval and air forces.
Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
