US, Gulf allies threaten Iran with sanctions in UN proposal if it
doesn't release Hormuz chokehold
[May 06, 2026] By
EDITH M. LEDERER and FARNOUSH AMIRI
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States and its Gulf allies have
proposed a U.N. resolution threatening Iran with sanctions or other
measures if it doesn’t halt attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz,
stop imposing “illegal tolls,” and disclose the placement of all mines
to allow freedom of navigation.
The draft Security Council resolution, obtained Tuesday by The
Associated Press, also demands that Iran “immediately participate in and
enable” United Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in
the strait for the delivery of vital aid, fertilizer and other goods.
It is the latest diplomatic effort by the U.S. and its Gulf allies after
a watered-down resolution aimed at opening the strait was vetoed by
China and Russia hours before Washington and Tehran announced a
temporary ceasefire in early April.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement on Tuesday accused
Iran of continuing “to hold the world’s economy hostage” by trying to
close the strait, threatening to attack ships, laying sea mines, and
attempting to charge tolls “for the world’s most important waterway.”
While Rubio said he looks forward to the resolution being voted on in
the coming days, he told journalists later in the day that he remained
uncertain if “slight adjustments” the U.S. made to the text would be
enough to avoid a veto from Tehran's allies on the council. These
adjustments included removing language authorizing the use of force and
focusing instead on the threat of sanctions.
Whether the resolution succeeds will be “a real test" for the U.N. “as
something that functions, that can solve global problems," Rubio added
at the White House briefing.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz told reporters Monday he believes the new,
narrow proposal will gain the necessary support it needs to pass the
15-member council, without triggering opposition or a veto from Iran’s
allies.
The U.S. and Gulf nations proposed the new draft as the Trump
administration tries to restore freedom of navigation in the strait,
which carried about 20% of the world’s crude oil before the U.S. and
Israel began the war on Feb. 28. A shaky ceasefire remains in effect.
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Oil tankers sit at anchor offshore in the Strait of Hormuz off
Bandar Abbas, Iran, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA
via AP)
 The proposed resolution, which was
drafted under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter and thus could be
enforced militarily, threatens “effective measures that are
commensurate with the gravity of the situation, including sanctions”
if Iran doesn’t comply. The earlier resolution removed a Chapter 7
reference but was still vetoed.
One Security Council diplomat told AP that as in previous
negotiations on Hormuz resolutions, specific language directly
condemning Iran, without also reflecting U.S. and Israeli strikes,
has been an issue with some members. The diplomat spoke on condition
of anonymity to discuss sensitive deliberations.
The new draft resolution reaffirms the right of all countries to
defend their vessels from attacks and provocations, and orders all
other countries not to assist Iran in closing the strait or levying
tolls.
The draft also “welcomes ongoing efforts to deconflict and
coordinate safe and secure transit passage through the Strait of
Hormuz, expresses support for ongoing efforts to seek a durable
peace in the region, and encourages member states in the region to
strengthen dialogue and consultations in this regard.”
The diplomat also said that the U.S. has been engaging in serious
efforts to convince China to abstain from vetoing the resolution,
including at the highest diplomatic levels as both countries prepare
for President Donald Trump's visit next week to meet with Chinese
President Xi Jinping.
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