The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution on Tuesday to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, unnamed diplomats told Reuters.
However, according to the sources, this is a watered-down version of the proposal, as China - which has veto power in the council - has opposed a version that approves the use of force. Oil prices have risen sharply after the US and Israel launched military attacks on Iran in late February.
The attacks have triggered a conflict that has lasted for more than five weeks and has largely led Iran to close the strategically important strait. About a fifth of all the world's oil is normally transported through the Strait of Hormuz.
Bahrain holds the presidency of the UN Security Council, which has 15 members. The country's efforts to secure passage of a resolution on the Strait of Hormuz have included several drafts that are intended to counter opposition from China and Russia, among others.
Reuters has seen the latest version of the proposal, which according to the news agency does not contain an explicit approval of the use of force.
Instead, the proposal "strongly encourages states that have an interest in using commercial shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts of a defensive nature, commensurate with the circumstances, to help ensure the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."
The contributions could include "escort of merchant vessels and commercial vessels," and the proposal supports efforts to "prevent attempts to close, block or otherwise impede international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."
According to the unnamed diplomats, the watered-down version of the proposal is more likely to be adopted. However, it is still unclear whether it will succeed.
It requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
/ritzau/
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