Nournews: The Security Council meeting focused on the Strait of Hormuz revealed further dimensions of irresponsible conduct and double standards by this institution in dealing with global developments. Remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing concern over the consequences of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz and sympathy for what he described as the “plight of 20,000 sailors stranded at sea,” were made while, on the one hand, the United Nations remained indifferent and ineffective in the face of the Gaza genocide, which has claimed 73,000 lives—20,000 of them children. On the other hand, both the organization and the Secretary-General himself have limited their response to expressions of concern regarding what is described as U.S.–Israeli war-mongering against Iran, including incidents such as the Minab school tragedy, the assassination of the political-spiritual leader of the revolution, and the destruction of national infrastructure.

The organization has also remained silent regarding what is described as U.S. acts of maritime piracy against Iranian vessels—actions said to constitute a clear violation of UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 and international law. Instead, concerns about the Strait of Hormuz are raised primarily in line with Western interests. Guterres’ remarks and these selective and irrational responses once again highlight what critics describe as the erosion of the institution’s credibility and the necessity of reform, moving toward a new and genuinely multilateral international order. This organization cannot claim a central role whenever Western interests require it, while simultaneously disclaiming responsibility in other cases, including the Gaza genocide, Israeli aggression, and alleged U.S. and Western actions ranging from sanctions to military threats.

Admission of U.S. Inability

One of the key points highlighted during the session was the repeated acknowledgment of the United States’ inability to counter Iran’s multilayered power and resilience. The U.S. representative to the United Nations called on the international community to join Washington in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite earlier claims by U.S. officials at the outset of military aggression against Iran that victory would be achieved within a matter of days. They had also previously suggested that reopening the Strait could be accomplished through a simple operation.

Washington’s insistence on requesting assistance from other countries and international organizations has revealed what critics describe as the emptiness of those earlier claims in the face of Iran’s strength, as well as the ineffectiveness of strategies such as naval blockades or even notions of destroying Iran’s oil supply lines. Notably, even some European officials have acknowledged Iran’s resilience and the failure of U.S. expectations.

This situation can be viewed as the final link in a broader chain of U.S. setbacks—one in which not only were its NATO allies unwilling to engage in what was described as a dangerous confrontation, but the Security Council session itself concluded without consensus and amid waves of protest, condemnations of aggression, and statements supporting Iran’s right to manage and exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Security Council session also marked another episode of what critics describe as the ongoing embarrassment of European countries. Representatives of these states called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions, invoking respect for international law and freedom of navigation. This came despite the fact that, through the imposition of extensive sanctions against Iran, they have—according to the UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures—committed clear violations of international law and even acts that may amount to crimes against humanity.

Nevertheless, European officials have continued to refuse lifting these sanctions and have instead sought to secure unilateral advantages. They have also refrained from condemning recent incidents, including the attack on the Minab school and what has been described as U.S. maritime piracy—an omission viewed by critics as clear evidence of hypocrisy and self-interest.

These double standards were met with strong reactions from other countries. Russia’s representative to the Security Council questioned attempts to assign full responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz situation to Iran, emphasizing that a coastal state, under wartime conditions, has the right to restrict navigation within its waters to ensure its own security. He also likened Western actions to maritime banditry, stating that Western countries speak of a “rules-based order” while allegedly engaging in open piracy at sea.

China’s representative likewise criticized what was described as Western blame-shifting, identifying the United States and Israel as the principal drivers of escalating tensions and calling for an immediate end to the crisis.