April 3, 2026 — The UN Security Council prepared to vote on a Bahrain-sponsored resolution authorizing countries to use defensive — but not offensive — measures to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about a fifth of global oil flows. The draft, backed by six Gulf states and Jordan, was significantly watered down from earlier versions that would have allowed broader military action after opposition from veto-wielding members.
The final text authorizes states “to use all defensive means necessary and commensurate with the circumstances in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters” to protect navigation and deter interference, for an initial period of at least six months. Russia and China had opposed earlier drafts that included language permitting “all necessary means.” Iran warned the Security Council against any “provocative action” ahead of the vote, saying such steps would further complicate the situation.
The vote followed a UK-led virtual meeting attended by more than 40 countries to discuss diplomatic and economic measures to pressure Iran to reopen the waterway. Gulf states have pressed for international efforts as the wider Iran–US–Israel conflict has paralyzed transit through the strait and sent oil and energy markets into turmoil.
Military and security developments
– Iran launched long-range missiles at Israel and some Gulf states; explosions were reported near Tehran and Isfahan. Israel, Bahrain and Kuwait issued alerts and activated air defenses. Israeli officials said at least one missile penetrated defenses and struck central Israel, causing damage to homes, roads and vehicles.
– Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it shot down a US F-35 stealth jet over Iranian airspace and said the pilot likely did not survive. US Central Command has previously dismissed Iranian claims of downing US fighter jets.
– The US carried out strikes inside Iran that hit a bridge under construction near Tehran (the B1 bridge), which Iranian state media said wounded at least 95 people. US President Donald Trump posted that the US “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran,” warning “Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants,” a stance that raised legal and humanitarian concerns among experts.
– Gulf states reported attacks on energy infrastructure: Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery suffered fires after a drone attack; parts of a desalination plant and a power station were damaged. In Abu Dhabi, debris from intercepted ordnance fell at the Habshan gas plant, triggering a shutdown while emergency teams contained fires. Authorities reported no injuries at the gas facility.
Diplomacy and international responses
– France and South Korea agreed to cooperate on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilizing the situation, though both leaders stopped short of detailing military plans. French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed proposals for reopening the strait by force as unrealistic and emphasized defining international conditions for easing the crisis.
– US President Trump publicly urged Asian allies, including South Korea and Japan, and other powers to help reopen the strait, while also criticizing NATO allies over their reluctance to engage in the conflict. In Germany, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said such comments were concerning but did not believe a US exit from NATO was likely.
Economic and humanitarian fallout
– Oil prices surged on fears of a prolonged conflict and supply disruptions. US benchmark crude jumped above $110 a barrel and Brent also rose sharply. Asian markets traded cautiously on Good Friday: Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi showed gains while China’s Shanghai Composite slipped.
– Global food prices rose in March, with the FAO Food Price Index up 2.4% from February, driven largely by higher energy costs tied to the conflict. FAO economists warned that sustained hostilities and elevated input costs could prompt farmers to reduce plantings or switch crops, potentially affecting yields and supplies this year and next.
– Europe signaled preparations for an energy crunch: policymakers urged reduced consumption and accelerated investments in renewables to cushion the impact of higher oil and gas prices.
Maritime developments
– A CMA CGM-operated container ship, the Maltese-flagged Kribi, managed to transit the Strait of Hormuz and exit the Gulf — the first known passage by a major European shipping group since the waterway was largely paralyzed after US and Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February. How the vessel completed the transit was initially unclear.
Analysis and outlook
The Security Council vote aimed to offer a multilateral, defensive framework to keep a key shipping lane open without endorsing offensive operations that could further escalate the war. But with missiles and strikes crossing borders, damage to civilian infrastructure, and economic shocks mounting, the risk of broader confrontation and prolonged disruption to energy and trade routes remains high. International efforts to combine diplomatic pressure, protective measures for navigation and energy contingency planning are likely to continue as governments weigh the risks of deeper military involvement.