Bahrain Pushes for UN Mandate to Protect Strait of Hormuz Shipping

In a move aimed at securing international backing for protecting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Bahrain has put forward a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorize countries to use 'all necessary means' - diplomatic language for the use of force - to safeguard shipping in the strategic waterway, according to a text seen by Reuters on Monday. The proposed resolution comes amid heightened tensions in the region following a series of attacks on oil tankers and other commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman over the past year. The U.S. and its allies have blamed Iran for the attacks, which Tehran has denied. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global trade chokepoint, with an estimated 21 million barrels of oil passing through it each day - around 21% of global petroleum liquids consumption. Any disruption to shipping in the strait could have significant ramifications for the global economy and energy markets. Bahrain, a close U.S. ally, has been a vocal proponent of a stronger international response to the threats facing commercial shipping in the region. The proposed UN resolution is the latest step in these efforts, which have also included the formation of a U.S.-led maritime security initiative known as Operation Sentinel. While the chances of the resolution being adopted remain uncertain given potential opposition from Russia and China, the move underscores the growing concerns among U.S. allies about the security of commercial shipping in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.