Statement by Mr. Oļegs Iļģis, Chargé d'affaires of Latvia to the United Nations at UN Security Council meeting (Adoption) on resolution submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain
New York, 7 April 2026
Thank you, Mr President.
Latvia voted in favour of the resolution submitted by Bahrain and we express our regret that a positive outcome was not reached. It is profoundly troubling that certain members of this Council have chosen to obstruct a resolution designed to ensure the safety and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and advance global stability.
Just three weeks ago the Council adopted resolution 2817, co-sponsored and supported by Latvia, alongside an unprecedented number of countries. In it, the Council called upon Iran to refrain from interfering with international navigation. In the days and weeks that have followed, Iran has doubled down and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, shocking the global economy. The continued failure and refusal by the Iranian regime to comply with its obligations under international law, including its breaches of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as its persistent noncompliance with binding resolutions of this body constitutes not only a breach of the international order, but leaves this Council with a responsibility to act.
Mr President,
We must ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. It is categorically unacceptable for Iran, or any state for that matter, to use an international waterway as a bargaining chip and to hold the global economy hostage. Supply chains are being disrupted, global energy prices have spiked and acute food insecurity around the globe is growing at an alarming rate, especially among those most vulnerable. Iran is setting a dangerous precedent which we cannot allow or normalize, and we commend Bahrain for addressing precisely this crucial reality in its resolution.
Finally, alongside the unprecedented closure of the Strait, the Iranian regime is continuing its unprovoked strikes against countries in the region. We condemn these attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and reiterate our steadfast solidarity with our partners in the region.
We repeat our calls for immediate de-escalation and for the protection of civilians.
Mr President,
Allow me to once more express my sincere appreciation to Bahrain for their efforts on this pressing matter.
Thank you!