Gulf states back US-led UN resolution on Strait of Hormuz security

[0:01] We're going now to a live event. [0:02] The U.N. ambassadors from the U.S., Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait [0:06] speaking at the United Nations on the need for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. [0:11] Let's take a listen. [0:12] A draft resolution earlier this week to the Security Council on the situation of Strait of Hormuz, [0:23] one of the world's most vital maritime corridor. [0:28] The Strait of Hormuz is critical not only to the stability and the prosperity for the Gulf region, [0:37] but also to the global economy. [0:40] Recent developments have underscored the importance of keeping this strategic waterway safe, secure and fully open. [0:54] They have also shown the need for collective action. [0:57] Building on the Security Council Historic Resolution 2817, the draft resolution calls for Iran to immediately cease all attacks [1:10] and the threats against merchant and commercial vessels. [1:16] The draft also addresses the placement of mines and illegal tolling in the Strait. [1:23] Allowing such action to become normalized is unacceptable. [1:28] In addition, the draft addresses participation in the United Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in the Strait. [1:42] The draft resolution is guided by the clear principle, freedom of navigation in accordance with the international law, [1:53] as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. [2:00] It also supports ongoing effort to seek durable peace in the region and encourages dialogue in the regard. [2:10] This initiative reflects our strong commitment to regional security, to multilateral cooperation and to the peaceful resolution of dispute. [2:26] We look forward to working constructively with all council members in the days ahead to finalize this text and build the widest possible support. [2:39] The resolution will be open for co-sponsor by all UN member states, and we encourage all of us, all the member states, to join us. [2:52] Protecting freedom of navigation through the Strait is a shared commitment, and we must meet it together. [3:01] Thank you, thank you, and I give the floor now to Ambassador Mike. Ambassador, please. [3:08] Well, thank you, and it's my honor to stand with my fellow ambassadors here and our partners from the Gulf. [3:18] We drafted this resolution together with Bahrain, and we've worked closely with the rest of our friends in the Gulf and throughout the UN, [3:24] because we believe in some basic fundamental principles, namely the freedom of navigation for the entire world's economies. [3:35] And that's what's at stake here, nothing less than a cornerstone of worldwide stability and commerce. [3:42] And those who abuse it or seek to throw it out are setting a very, very dangerous precedent, [3:49] and frankly, setting the stage to doom global trade. [3:53] So we like to talk a lot about international law here at the UN. [3:59] Well, Iran's indiscriminate mining and tolling efforts in the Strait of Hormuz are textbook violations of international law. [4:07] They violate the most basic law of the sea, rules on navigational rights and freedoms, international law, [4:16] their defiance of this council's very resolutions. [4:19] I'll just list a few of the places, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, [4:24] the Hague Convention 8, Hague Convention 13, the ICJ International Criminal Court's Corfu Channel Judgment, [4:35] the San Romeo Manual, and of course, Security Council Resolution 2817 adopted with an overwhelming number of co-sponsors. [4:47] In fact, 136 co-sponsors that Iran's activities now are now in violation of. [4:55] So what are we asking, what is this next evolution of 2817 asking of the international community? [5:03] Well, it requires Iran to do some very simple, straightforward things. [5:08] Cease attack on, cease its attacks on commercial shipping. [5:13] Cease mining and remove its mines from an international waterway. [5:18] Cease tolling, charging illegal tolls in the Strait of Hormuz and allow the UN to move forward with humanitarian aid, [5:26] life-saving aid through that international corridor. [5:30] It's really just that simple. [5:34] The problem is, just this week, Iran's own state media announced that the regime has launched what it calls [5:44] the Persian Gulf Straits Authority, where it seeks to demand that all ship captains from international shipping, [5:54] commercial shipping, civilian shipping, basically have to check in and pay a bribe, pay a toll, [6:01] in order to use these international waterways. [6:04] So that doesn't just affect this region. [6:08] It affects the entire world. [6:10] Imagine, imagine if we had countries, regardless of the conflict, [6:15] regardless of what you think about the conflict or who started what. [6:20] Imagine if you had two countries, hypothetically, like Spain and Morocco, [6:24] have some type of dispute and then throw sea mines into the Straits of Gibraltar [6:30] and then start trying to charge shipping to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar [6:34] in a cynical bid for leverage with the other side. [6:39] Collective punishment of the entire world to try to resolve some type of dispute. [6:44] It's unacceptable, it's immoral, and it's illegal in international law. [6:51] So this should be a simple demand, the removal of mines from an international waterway, [6:59] that you cannot exact illegal tolls. [7:03] We have to address these violations here in the council, [7:08] and we have to ask ourselves, if a country chooses to oppose such a simple proposition, [7:15] do they really want peace? [7:17] As energy and food costs rise for the world's peoples, [7:22] and if aid fails to reach the very people that the countries in the council claim to care about, [7:29] what does that really say for the UN? [7:33] What does that say for these countries abiding by international law? [7:38] And also, what does it say in the choices they're making? [7:42] Now is the time for choosing, and are the countries of the council choosing to stand [7:46] with a regime that slaughters its own people, that brutalizes its neighbors, [7:51] that strangles the world's economy? [7:54] Or are they standing with the shining cities of Manama, Kuwait City, Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, [8:02] with the people that seek a better future for not only their people, but for the region and for the world? [8:10] I don't know. [8:12] I know what decision the United States is making. [8:16] And we're choosing to stand with the freedom of navigation. [8:19] We're choosing to stand with international law. [8:21] We're choosing to stand with our partners as we move forward. [8:27] So we're giving the UN and the Security Council another chance, [8:31] get back to basics, to uphold these basic principles, [8:36] to build on Resolution 2817 passed without opposition in this council with 136 co-sponsors. [8:45] And we'll see what the council decides to do in the days to come. [8:50] Thank you. [8:51] And I hand off Ambassador Mohamed. [8:54] Thank you, Ambassador Waltz. [8:57] Just following on the points made by my colleagues, [9:01] I'd like to focus on why this draft resolution is important and necessary at this critical time. [9:09] The draft resolution reinforces established international law. [9:13] International waterways cannot be controlled through coercion, [9:17] attacks, or threats against civilian and commercial shipping. [9:20] The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategic maritime choke points. [9:26] And what happens there affects global trade, energy markets, shipping routes, [9:31] supply chains, food security, and economic stability. [9:36] For months, Iran has continued attacks and threats against merchant and commercial vessels, [9:41] interfered with lawful navigation, [9:44] placed sea mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz, [9:46] and attempted to impose illegal tolls on international shipping. [9:50] Since 28 February, according to the International Maritime Organization, [9:56] at least 32 commercial vessels have been targeted, [10:00] killing innocent seafarers, [10:01] and leaving an estimated 2,000 ships and approximately 20,000 personnel stranded. [10:08] These actions did not stop following the adoption of Resolution 2817. [10:13] The violations continued, [10:15] and threats against maritime security and regional stability persist. [10:19] In fact, earlier this week, [10:23] a vessel affiliated with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was directly targeted, [10:27] underscoring the real and ongoing risks these attacks posed to civilian shipping and global energy supplies. [10:34] This is why the elements contained in our draft resolution are important. [10:39] First, the resolution demands the disclosure and removal of sea mines placed in and around the Strait of Hormuz. [10:47] This will be essential to restore safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait. [10:52] Second, the resolution rejects the imposition of illegal tolls and interference with freedom of navigation and lawful transit passage. [11:01] International waterways must not be subjected to coercion, extortion, or conditional passage imposed by force. [11:11] Third, the resolution supports the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the movement of aid, [11:18] fertilizer, and other essential goods through the Strait. [11:22] These measures are practical and necessary steps responding to the reality of ongoing threats and attacks by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. [11:31] While the draft resolution does not give any authorization or impose sanctions on Iran, [11:38] by acting under Chapter 7, the Council would make clear that its decisions in this resolution are binding [11:45] and that the Council is serious about them, [11:48] and that it may consider further measures if its decisions are not implemented. [11:54] Our resolution is essentially about the implementation of international law, [11:59] the protection of civilian shipping, and preserving stability in a strategic international waterway. [12:05] It also recognizes the broader economic and humanitarian impact of these disruptions, [12:10] including on fertilizer supplies, agricultural production, food security, [12:16] and vulnerable economies dependent on maritime trade. [12:18] We look to all responsible states in the international community to support this resolution, [12:25] just as they overwhelmingly supported Resolution 2817. [12:29] Thank you, and I'll pass it to my colleague, Sheikh Aliyah. [12:38] Dear members of the press, thank you so much for joining us today. [12:41] Let me begin by, of course, thanking my colleagues, Ambassador Jamal Roy, [12:46] and Ambassador Mike Waltz for leading the efforts in the Security Council [12:50] as the primary sponsors of the draft resolution on the situation in the Strait of Hormones [12:54] that will soon be presented to the Council. [12:57] The State of Qatar, of course, is pleased to support and co-sponsor. [13:03] As outlined by our colleagues, this resolution is of great importance. [13:08] It is essential in responding to the closure of the Strait of Hormones [13:12] by the Islamic Republic of Iran since March, [13:15] which prompted severe economic impacts across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, [13:20] as well as globally. [13:25] The State of Qatar has warned that the closure of the Strait [13:28] would transform the crisis from a regional to a global one [13:32] due to its connection to the energy sector, [13:36] supply and logistic change, export and re-export operations, [13:41] and its impact on various aspects of life worldwide. [13:46] This is what we have seen unfolding, [13:48] as it disrupted 20% of global oil and LNG trade, [13:52] as well as over 20,000 seafarers remain stranded at sea. [14:00] The situation not only jeopardizes global economic stability [14:04] and energy security, but also worsens humanitarian crises [14:08] and undermines regional stability, [14:11] posing a genuine threat to international peace and security. [14:17] Ensuring that the Strait remains open to navigation [14:20] is not only a demand set forth by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, [14:26] Security Council Resolution 552 of 1984, [14:30] and Security Council Resolution 2817, [14:33] but it's a shared international responsibility. [14:36] The State of Qatar has continuously, as well, [14:39] stressed its appreciation for the efforts by the Islamic Republic of Iran [14:45] and all parties involved in mediation and good offices [14:49] that contribute to reaching a ceasefire between the United States of America [14:53] and the Islamic Republic of Iran. [14:55] Let me conclude by saying that we look forward [14:58] to continuing our engagement intensively with Member States [15:02] to secure the support for this timely Security Council Resolution [15:06] on guaranteeing the freedom of navigation [15:09] while protecting maritime waterways. [15:12] And I thank you. [15:13] Good afternoon, everyone. [15:20] And in addition to what has been mentioned by my colleagues, [15:23] I would like just to emphasize that the Strait of Hormuz [15:26] remains a vital artery of global trade. [15:30] And any disruption to its security [15:33] is a matter of serious international concern. [15:37] Recent developments in the Strait have heightened tensions [15:41] and risk significant humanitarian, economic, and security consequences. [15:48] Disruptions to marine transit are affecting global energy markets [15:53] and hindering the delivery of essential goods, [15:57] including food, medical supplies, [16:00] and humanitarian assistance with particular severe consequences [16:04] for vulnerable and import-dependent countries. [16:09] These developments underscore the urgent need to prevent further escalation [16:16] and to safeguard the stability and security of this critical waterway. [16:22] In this context, the draft resolution calls for immediate [16:27] and coordinated international action to de-escalate tensions, [16:33] ensure the free and safe flow of maritime trade and humanitarian assistance, [16:38] restore stability to global markets, [16:42] and protect affected populations. [16:45] Now I would like to invite my colleague, Faisal, please. [16:49] Thank you, Ambassador. [16:52] Good afternoon. [16:54] At the outset, we express our appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain [16:58] and the United States of America for leading this important effort, [17:02] as well as to all co-sponsors of Resolution 2817. [17:06] The broad support for this initiative reflects a shared international conviction [17:13] that freedom of navigation, the safety of maritime routes, [17:17] and respect for international law are all collective responsibilities [17:21] directly linked to the maintenance of international peace and security. [17:27] From a legal and political standpoint, [17:30] the state of Kuwait believes that the importance of this draft resolution [17:34] lies in reaffirming a fundamental principle of the international order [17:39] that international waterways must remain open and secure [17:44] and must not be subjected to threats, coercion, or unlawful restrictions. [17:51] Any attempt to obstruct lawful passage through the Strait of Hormuz [17:55] or to threaten navigation in it goes beyond a regional concern [18:00] and carries wider implications for the integrity of the rules [18:04] governing international navigation. [18:08] The state of Kuwait emphasizes that this draft resolution [18:10] is not intended to escalate tensions or undermine the sovereignty of states. [18:16] Rather, it seeks to reaffirm the balance established under international law [18:21] between the rights of coastal states and the rights of the international community [18:26] to safe and lawful navigation, [18:30] while rejecting any actions that endanger commercial shipping [18:34] or threaten maritime security. [18:37] This initiative also builds upon the established approach of the Security Council, [18:42] including Resolution 552, [18:45] which affirmed the close connection between maritime security in the Gulf [18:48] and the maintenance of international peace and security. [18:53] In this regard, the draft resolution represents an important message [18:57] in support of respect for international law [19:01] and the credibility of the Council's resolutions. [19:03] The state of Kuwait believes that a clear and united international position [19:09] contributes to preventing further escalation, [19:13] safeguarding safe passage, [19:15] and reinforcing stability and compliance with international law. [19:18] Thank you very much. [19:20] Ambassador Abu Bay. [19:23] Thank you so much. [19:25] Thank you so much. [19:26] We'll take a question to you in a different meeting.