Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has persistently criticized nations such as Australia, Japan and South Korea for what he perceives as insufficient support amid the conflict in Iran.
During a media briefing at the White House on Monday, Trump maintained a firm stance against Tehran, asserting that he believes the US military is performing “unbelievably well” in the Middle East, while expressing his ongoing frustration with NATO.
“They haven’t helped at all,” stated the US president, adding: “It’s not just NATO. Do you know who else didn’t assist us? South Korea didn’t help us. Do you know who else didn’t assist us? Australia didn’t help us. Do you know who else didn’t assist us? Japan.”
In the meantime, the United Nations (UN) is preparing to vote on a diluted resolution regarding Hormuz.
The UN Security Council is anticipated to vote on Tuesday regarding a resolution aimed at safeguarding commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, albeit in a significantly diluted form after China, which holds veto power, opposed the authorization of force, as reported by Reuters, citing diplomatic sources.
Bahrain, the current president of the 15-member council, has made efforts to secure a resolution that has involved numerous drafts to address the objections from China, Russia, and other nations.
The most recent version, reviewed by Reuters, omits any explicit authorization for the use of force.
Instead, the document “strongly encourages States interested in utilizing commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, which should be defensive in nature and proportionate to the circumstances, to help ensure the safety and security of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
It indicates that such contributions may encompass “the escort of merchant and commercial vessels,” and the text also supports initiatives “to deter attempts to close, obstruct, or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Diplomats indicated that the diluted version had a higher likelihood of approval, yet it was still uncertain whether it would be successful. It necessitates a minimum of nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from the five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
Oil prices have escalated since the United States and Israel initiated military action against Iran in late February, leading Tehran to significantly restrict access to the strait, which is a crucial channel for global oil and gas supplies.
