The revised text, circulated by Bahrain, removes earlier provisions that would have allowed the use of force and instead urges states to coordinate “defensive” measures to ensure safe navigation, including escorting commercial vessels.

The vote comes amid more than five weeks of conflict triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, which has led Tehran to largely restrict passage through the strait, a key conduit for global energy supplies, sending oil prices sharply higher.

Diplomats said the watered-down version stands a better chance of adoption but its outcome remains uncertain. A resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

Earlier drafts backed by Gulf states and Washington had included language authorizing “all defensive means necessary,” but faced resistance from China and Russia, prompting multiple revisions. China has argued that authorizing force risks escalation and has instead called for efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing was prepared to work with Russia at the Security Council to help calm tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing that a ceasefire was the fundamental path to resolving the crisis.

Iran has signaled it seeks a lasting end to hostilities but has resisted pressure to reopen the strait, while U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of consequences if Tehran does not reach a deal by a self-imposed deadline.

The latest draft reflects a compromise effort to bridge divisions within the council while addressing growing concerns over disruptions to one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.

The vote, initially expected on Saturday, will now take place sometime next week, according to two diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the private nature of council discussions.

Bahrain, which holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council this month, had significantly watered down the resolution in an effort to secure consensus among the council’s 15 members.

The revised draft authorizes defensive measures to ensure safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait, stopping short of the offensive military action initially backed by Gulf states and the United States.

The delay underscores continued divisions within the council, with Russia and China still unwilling to support the modified proposal, diplomats said.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply typically flows, has become a focal point of international concern amid escalating conflict in the region, raising fears over energy security and global trade disruptions.

Bahrain has been seeking unanimous backing for the resolution, but the postponement highlights the challenges of achieving agreement among major powers on how to respond to the the crisis.

The 15-member council had been due to vote Friday on a proposal introduced by Bahrain, but the session was deferred, with diplomatic sources citing the observance of Good Friday as the official reason. No new date for the vote has been announced.

The draft resolution, backed by the United States, would permit member states, acting individually or through multinational coalitions, to use “all defensive means necessary” to ensure safe passage through the strait and deter interference with international navigation. The mandate would apply for an initial period of at least six months.

The proposal comes as Iran has effectively constrained traffic through the vital shipping lane in response to U.S.-Israeli military actions, disrupting global energy flows. The strait typically carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, making it a critical artery for global trade.

Bahrain’s UN ambassador Jamal Alrowaiei described the resolution as timely, warning of the wider economic impact of disruptions to shipping. However, the measure faces resistance from key council members, including Russia and China, both of which hold veto power and have expressed concerns that authorizing force could escalate the conflict.

Chinese envoy Fu Cong said such authorization risks legitimizing “indiscriminate use of force,” while Russia has criticized what it views as unilateral approaches to the crisis. France, another permanent member, has signaled cautious support after revisions emphasized the defensive nature of the proposal.

Analysts say the resolution faces significant hurdles. Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group said it is unlikely to gain approval without broader consensus, particularly if it does not address underlying political drivers of the conflict.

Separately, Donald Trump said countries facing fuel shortages should secure their own supplies in the region, adding that U.S. forces would not intervene on their behalf.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against any “provocative action” at the Security Council, cautioning that further steps could intensify the situation.The draft reflects rare consideration of force authorization by the council, underscoring the severity of the disruption to global energy markets and maritime security.

In a landmark decision, the United Nations has urged renewed negotiations on Western Sahara based on Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan — a move widely viewed as a breakthrough toward lasting peace, stability, and regional cooperation in North Africa.

The United Nations has marked a pivotal moment in African diplomacy by endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most realistic and forward-looking solution to the long-standing territorial dispute.

In a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council, the global body emphasized that Morocco’s proposal offers a balanced framework that upholds sovereignty while ensuring self-governance, unity, and development.

The decision reflects growing international recognition of Morocco’s leadership in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation across the Maghreb.

The U.S.-drafted resolution, supported by 11 of the 15 Security Council members, called on all parties to engage in serious, results-oriented negotiations.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz highlighted that genuine dialogue could lead to regional peace within the year, reaffirming the international community’s confidence in Morocco’s diplomatic approach.

This milestone underscores a collective shift toward pragmatic, inclusive, and sustainable conflict resolution that prioritizes stability and human development.

Morocco’s autonomy plan, first introduced in 2007, proposes the creation of an elected legislative, executive, and judicial authority within Western Sahara, giving residents meaningful participation in local governance.

Under this framework, Morocco retains control over defense, foreign affairs, and religious matters — ensuring unity and national integrity while empowering local communities to manage their economic and cultural affairs.

The plan has been widely praised as a model for modern self-determination and regional collaboration.

Following the UN’s announcement, King Mohammed VI hailed the resolution as a “new chapter” in strengthening the “Moroccanness of the Sahara” and advancing peace throughout the region.

The King reiterated his call for “brotherly dialogue” with Algeria, reaffirming Morocco’s unwavering commitment to good-neighborly relations and the Maghreb Union.

His message emphasized partnership over rivalry and prosperity over division, setting a tone of reconciliation and shared progress.

Celebrations erupted across Moroccan cities as thousands waved national flags and chanted patriotic songs to honor the diplomatic victory.

The public’s response reflected not only national pride but also renewed optimism for a peaceful future in which Morocco’s vision of unity and development becomes a regional reality.

This moment also demonstrated the deep bond between Morocco’s people and leadership in shaping a stable and prosperous future.

The Security Council’s decision also renewed the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for another year, ensuring continued stability while negotiations move forward.

It also called for a strategic review of the mission’s role, aligning it with the political progress expected under Morocco’s inclusive proposal. This highlights the UN’s trust in Morocco’s ability to facilitate peace and cooperation through dialogue and reform.

International support for Morocco’s autonomy plan has steadily grown. The United States, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom have all endorsed Rabat’s initiative, calling it the only viable solution that balances sovereignty with self-determination.

This growing consensus marks a decisive shift in global policy toward a practical and peaceful resolution, strengthening Morocco’s role as a key diplomatic and economic bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Arab world.

King Mohammed VI also urged Sahrawi refugees living in the Polisario-run camps in Algeria to embrace autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, calling it a path toward dignity, progress, and national unity.

His appeal highlighted the humanitarian dimension of Morocco’s initiative — one that prioritizes the well-being of all citizens and envisions a future built on coexistence, opportunity, and hope.

The UN’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan represents far more than a political decision — it is a declaration of confidence in a shared vision for peace, prosperity, and cooperation.

As the world watches this new chapter unfold, Morocco’s leadership in diplomacy, governance, and sustainable development stands as a model for resolving complex regional challenges through dialogue, partnership, and vision.

The Ministry tweeted, “Trade monitors and controls all goods and products that violate innate human nature”.

“The Ministry of Commerce ‘monitors and controls all goods and products that violate human nature’. They contain slogans, writings, colors, images or symbols that are contrary to common sense and public morals, and impose penalties prescribed by law with the confiscation of the violating products”, according to the statement. “The Ministry confirms that its control teams will continue to perform their tasks to verify the regularity of the business of commercial establishments and their compliance with the regulations”.

Ministry has requested citizens and residents to cooperate with it, and report such violations by calling its communications center on the number 1900, or through the customer notification application.

Saudi Arabia has outrightly rejected the UN resolution on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” adding that such terminology is against Kingdom’s history and culture.

Saudi ambassador to United Nations, Abdullah Al-Mouallimi said, “God created man and woman, male and female, but anything else is ‘against nature’.”