During a session of the UN Security Council, Russia accused the United States and Israel of instigating a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil. Russia asserted that the strait was operational until military strikes on Iran were initiated by the US and Israel. In response to the crisis, Russia and China vetoed a Western-backed resolution that aimed to reopen the strait, which had garnered 11 votes in favor but ultimately failed due to the two vetoes and two abstentions. The resolution was already weakened, having removed provisions that would allow the use of force to secure the waterway. Following the vote, US Ambassador Mike Waltz emphasized that the US would retain the right to act in self-defense. Bahrain's Foreign Minister expressed concern that the resolution's failure could embolden threats to international waterways, while Iran's UN Ambassador condemned the resolution as punitive and a potential justification for further military action.