UN Security Council weighs Gulf shipping risks as Hormuz disruption strains oil corridor
Nearly nine months into the Gulf conflict, maritime security pressures are intensifying as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below pre-war levels. The United Nations Security Council is meeting at Bahrain's request to examine rising threats to shipping and broader regional stability.
Highlights
- Iran's near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz has cut oil transit volumes by about 65 percent versus pre-conflict levels, straining global energy markets.
- Transits through the Bab al-Mandab Strait have fallen by approximately 25 percent since the Houthis imposed a blockade on Saudi-linked shipping in July.
- UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2817 condemning Iran's maritime attacks in March, with China and Russia abstaining, reflecting divisions on crisis responses.
Security Council agenda and conflict backdrop
As reported by UN News, the Security Council is meeting this afternoon to discuss escalating tensions in the Gulf and mounting risks to maritime security. The session comes after Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran on 28 February triggered a wider regional war, followed by Iranian attacks on U.S. military assets and other targets in six Gulf states and Jordan.Briefings are set to be delivered by Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Khaled Khiari. The meeting follows months of failed efforts to secure a broader settlement after a 60-day U.S.-Iran ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan in June, lapsed in August without a peace deal.
Shipping disruption and regional market implications
Iran has all but closed the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carried about a fifth of the world's oil before the conflict, underscoring the stakes for global energy flows. According to UK Maritime Trade Operations, transit volumes through Hormuz remain about 65 per cent below pre-conflict levels, and October records the highest number of incidents since the war began.Pressure on regional shipping lanes is extending beyond Hormuz. Transits through the Bab al-Mandab Strait are down by roughly a quarter since the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi-linked shipping in July, adding to the operational strain on trade routes and energy transport across the region.
Diplomatic efforts are also under scrutiny at the United Nations. In March, the council adopted Resolution 2817 condemning Iran's attacks and threats to navigation, while China and Russia abstained, highlighting continued divisions over how to respond to the crisis.
We recently reported on Iran’s Hormuz closure and its conditions for reopening the shipping corridor amid tanker attacks.
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