Ziggy Ojiegbe

China has signaled firm backing for Iran’s position in the escalating Strait of Hormuz crisis, deepening divisions at the U.N. Security Council as members explore viable plans to protect global shipping.

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Beijing, a veto-wielding member of the council, has made clear it will oppose any resolution that could authorize the use of force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, effectively raising the prospect of a diplomatic deadlock.

The vote centers on a Bahrain-backed proposal aimed at restoring safe passage through the narrow waterway, which typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. The initiative reflects mounting pressure from roughly 40 countries seeking to stabilize energy flows after weeks of disruption.

Shipping traffic has dropped sharply since Iran restricted access to the strait in response to a U.S.-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28. The strikes, led by United States and Israel, have targeted Iran’s military assets and nuclear-related infrastructure, with the stated aim of weakening Tehran’s capabilities and dismantling its nuclear program.

China’s U.N. ambassador, Fu Cong, warned that endorsing force would legitimize what he described as “unlawful and indiscriminate” military action and risk further escalation across the region. His comments underscore Beijing’s alignment with Tehran’s call for a non-military solution.

Iran, for its part, has tightened its control over the strait and demonstrated its ability to disrupt maritime traffic by targeting tankers and striking energy infrastructure across the Gulf. At the same time, Tehran is advancing an alternative framework for managing the waterway.

Officials say Iran is working with Oman on a protocol that would require ships to obtain permits before transiting the strait — a proposal that has drawn swift criticism from Western governments.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, rejected the idea, saying international law does not allow countries to impose fees or conditions on passage through such a critical global route.

The standoff highlights the growing risk that Iran could maintain a chokehold over a vital artery of global energy supply. Gulf states, many hosting U.S. forces, have endured repeated attacks in recent weeks but have largely refrained from retaliating, seeking to avoid a wider regional war.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, medical needs are rising rapidly as casualties mount into the tens of thousands across the region.

As the Security Council heads toward a vote, diplomats say the outcome will not only determine the immediate response to the shipping crisis but also test whether major powers can bridge deepening divides — or whether the impasse will further entrench a dangerous global confrontation.