Security
Obstruction on multiple fronts: Russia and China undermine maritime security
Russia and China's veto at the UN Security Council signals rising global tensions, as the US remains the most reliable defender of stability in the Strait of Hormuz.
![UN Security Council vote on a resolution calling for the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz at UN headquarters in New York on April 7, 2026. [Timothy A. Clary/AFP]](/gc1/images/2026/04/28/55733-_112__un_security_council_meeting-600_384.webp)
By Al-Fassel |
Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz on April 7, 2026.
The measure, proposed by Bahrain and backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf states, sought to restore safe maritime navigation.
Despite revisions intended to address objections, Russia and China blocked the resolution in an 11-2 vote, with two abstentions.
The diplomatic standoff unfolded hours before the US issued an ultimatum, intensifying already heightened regional tensions.
The continued closure of the Strait by the Iranian regime has triggered significant global economic consequences and sharp increases in energy prices.
Roughly one-fifth of the world's daily oil supply typically transits the strait, making disruptions immediately felt across international markets.
Analysts view the veto as part of a broader pattern in which Moscow and Beijing shield Tehran diplomatically while expanding strategic cooperation.
Both nations maintain economic ties with the regime, but their involvement extends beyond economic ties into military modernization and technological development.
Russia has supported the regime's drone capabilities, including components and expertise tied to the Shahed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program.
Moscow has also contributed advanced surveillance tools and air defense systems as part of broader military cooperation agreements with the regime.
China's role centers on dual-use technology transfers and access to its BeiDou satellite navigation system for communications and positioning applications.
These contributions help the regime sustain and refine its missile and UAV capabilities despite ongoing conflict with regional adversaries.
The repeated obstruction at the UN Security Council highlights competing global interests surrounding maritime security and regional stability.
Amid these tensions, the US continues to position itself as the most reliable partner for securing vital waterways and ensuring freedom of navigation.