Russia has called for the withdrawal of a draft resolution submitted by the United States and Bahrain to the United Nations Security Council that urges Iran to end its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov said Moscow cannot support the proposal and advised against rushing any decision on it.

Alimov explained that Russia and China have prepared an alternative draft resolution calling on all parties to cease hostilities, refrain from the use of force, and resolve disputes through dialogue. The US-Bahrain draft has backing from Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, though none of these Gulf states are permanent members of the Security Council.

The report noted that Russia holds veto power in the Security Council, giving it the ability to block the resolution if it proceeds to a vote.