By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The United Nations Security Council adopted a Bahraini‑led resolution on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, condemning Iran’s ongoing missile and drone attacks on Gulf states and neighbouring countries and rejecting a separate Russian proposal that called for an immediate end to all hostilities in the Middle East conflict.
The resolution, drafted on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, passed with 13 votes in favour. Russia and China, both permanent Security Council members, abstained, allowing the measure to proceed without veto. Backed by more than 130 co‑sponsors, the text strongly condemns Iran’s attacks against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, describing them as violations of international law and a serious threat to global peace and security.
The resolution demands the immediate cessation of all Iranian attacks and affirms support for affected states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also criticizing Iran’s interference with commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
In contrast, a Russian‑drafted proposal that urged a broader halt to all hostilities, protection of civilians, and a swift return to negotiations was not adopted, after the United States and other council members opposed it.
The vote underscores deep divisions within the Security Council over how to respond to the rapidly escalating crisis, with Western and Gulf states pressing for a firm stance against Tehran’s military actions, while Russia and China criticized the Bahrain text for not addressing U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran earlier in the conflict.
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