-- The US said on Tuesday it had drafted a UN Security Council resolution to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that Iran was threatening global shipping through attacks, mining activity and attempts to impose tolls on commercial vessels.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that Iran was "holding the world's economy hostage" through its actions in the strategic waterway through which a significant share of global oil and gas trade flows.
The draft resolution, developed alongside regional partners including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, calls on Tehran to halt attacks, stop laying sea mines and abandon any attempt to charge tolls on commercial shipping.
The US and its allies are also demanding that Iran disclose the number and locations of any mines it has deployed and cooperate in their removal.
The proposal further supports the establishment of a humanitarian maritime corridor.
Secretary Rubio said the US expects the resolution to be put to a vote in the coming days and expressed confidence that it would gain the backing of Security Council members and additional co-sponsors.
However, the initiative reportedly faces uncertain prospects, as it will need support from Russia and China, both of which wield veto power as permanent members of the council.