-- The US and several Gulf Arab states are preparing a new UN Security Council resolution aimed at condemning Iran over its actions in the Strait of Hormuz, several news outlets reported Monday, citing US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz.
The draft measure follows last month's failed effort by Washington to rally the Security Council, which was blocked by Russia and China.
That earlier proposal sought broader international backing to restore freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway after Iran moved to restrict shipping in response to a US-Israeli bombing campaign.
Waltz reportedly said negotiations on the new resolution are being co-drafted with Bahrain, with contributions from Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
The US Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswire.
The proposed resolution is expected to call on Iran to halt attacks on commercial vessels and abandon efforts to impose transit fees in the strait. It will also demand that Tehran cease deploying sea mines and provide information on any mines already placed.
Waltz described the new initiative as more limited in scope than the previous proposal, emphasizing its focus on maritime security. He noted that the draft comes at a time when a ceasefire is in place with Iran.
"This is much more focused on mining international waterways and on tolling, which all of the economies of the world are affected by, particularly those in Asia," Waltz said.
Separately, the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General, Jesem Mohamed Albudaiwi, issued a condemnation of what he called "flagrant Iranian attacks targeting the sisterly United Arab Emirates," after Iranian missiles struck a crucial United Arab Emirates oil port and several ships on Monday.