Manama : Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that what began as Iranian threats to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz has evolved into a threat affecting the entire world, stressing that time has become a critical factor in addressing this escalating crisis that threatens global stability, food security, and the foundational principles of international law.
Dr. Al Zayani explained that since 28 February, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined by more than 90%, noting that the consequences of this situation are no longer confined to energy markets or shipping lanes, but extend to global food security, with expectations of worsening fertiliser shortages and rising risks of hunger. He further highlighted United Nations warnings that an additional 45 million people could fall into acute hunger, and that around 4 million people in the Arab world could be pushed into poverty if the current situation persists.
The Foreign Minister emphasised that the scale of global risk is what prompted the Kingdom of Bahrain to present a draft resolution before the Security Council, underscoring that what is unfolding is not a regional dispute, but a global emergency that requires a comprehensive international response.
He highlighted that the Security Council has already taken note of the gravity of the situation: Resolution 2817, co-sponsored by a record 136 Member States, sent an unambiguous message that Iran’s actions are illegal and must cease. Iran has not complied. It is that defiance, not regional politics, that makes further Council action not only justified but necessary.
Dr. Al Zayani noted that each day without action brings the world closer to a crisis that will be measured in failed harvests, rising hunger, and renewed instability in the most vulnerable countries, affirming that closing the Strait does not target any one party, but constitutes a direct threat to the Global South, whose populations will bear the heaviest burden.
The Foreign Minister stressed the need for immediate action, warning that the window of opportunity is narrowing day by day, and that continued disruption of shipping means delays in the delivery of key supplies of energy, food, medicine, and fertilisers upon which millions of people depend.
He said that the draft resolution before the Council provides the legal clarity and operational coordination required to protect freedom of navigation and transit passage in the Strait of Hormuz, deter further violations, and uphold the international legal order that all Member States depend upon.
Dr. Al Zayani affirmed that the draft does not seek escalation, but rather provides a framework to prevent a broader breakdown of the international system by underscoring the need to protect freedom of navigation and transit passage, and to deter further attacks, in full adherence to international law and international humanitarian law.
The Foreign Minister noted that the failure to act in the face of this crisis sends a dangerous message that vital arteries of the global economy can be threatened without consequence, adding that the Security Council has engaged in substantive consultations aimed at reaching a resolution that reflects the scale of the current challenge.
He added that Bahrain’s Presidency of the Security Council has focused on achieving a unified Council position, and that the vote was delayed to allow space for reaching international consensus, affirming that Bahrain will continue its diplomatic efforts in the coming days to achieve this objective.
Dr. Al Zayani called on the Security Council to vote in favour of the draft resolution, noting that the Council’s credibility rests on its willingness to act when the international legal order is openly defied. The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway that belongs to the world. The Council must act accordingly.
