The United States urged member states of the UN Security Council on Thursday to support a new resolution (2017) demanding Iran cease its attacks and mine-laying operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

However, diplomats warned that China and Russia are likely to veto the resolution amid rising tensions related to regional conflicts.

The draft resolution, supported by Bahrain and co-sponsored by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, condemns Iran's alleged violations of the current ceasefire, demands it halt attacks threatening freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, disclose the location of naval mines, and not interfere with mine-clearing operations, Reuters reported.

The move comes after Russia and China vetoed a separate, US-led resolution last month, which critics suggested could have paved the way for military action against Iran through the UN Security Council.

US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, standing with representatives of the Gulf Arab states at the UN, stated that countries opposing the new measure are "setting a very, very dangerous precedent."

"If any nation is going to object to such a simple proposal, then they have to ask themselves, 'Do they truly want peace?'" Waltz said.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a key flashpoint in the broader conflict with Iran, which has been accused of disrupting maritime traffic through the narrow waterway, threatening global oil transport and a significant portion of world energy supplies.

The Trump administration has repeatedly framed the standoff as a test of whether the UN can forcefully respond to threats to international shipping and regional stability.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the resolution, introduced on Tuesday, a "test of the UN’s usefulness" and urged China and Russia not to block it, Reuters reported.

President Trump resumed diplomatic efforts on Wednesday after stating that Iran had agreed to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, "among many other things." Administration officials also indicated that Western governments were ready to hand over enriched uranium that Iran could use for its nuclear program.

In UN Security Council discussions held privately earlier this week, the latest draft met with strong opposition from both Russia and China, Reuters reported.

One diplomat told Reuters that Russia demanded the resolution be withdrawn or significantly amended, while China objected to the resolution being biased and invoking Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows for measures ranging from sanctions to military action.

Newsmax reported that if China exercises its veto power, it could disrupt President Trump's visit to China scheduled for next week. The visit is expected to feature discussions on the Iran conflict, maritime security, and Tehran's nuclear activities as major agenda items between Washington and Beijing.

Bahrain's UN envoy, Jamal Fares Al-Rowaiei, expressed hope that Bahrain would "work constructively with all Security Council members in the coming days to finalize a resolution," according to Reuters.

Reuters cited sources familiar with ongoing negotiations, reporting that Tehran is considering proposals that could lead to a temporary halt in the conflict without fully resolving broader disagreements over Iran's regional military posture and future nuclear capabilities.

US NNP=Hong Seong-gu Chief Editor / Special Correspondent for this paper NNP info@newsandpost.com