Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Tuesday that called for states to coordinate efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The draft resolution, prepared by Bahrain and supported by the United States, received 11 votes in favor, two against and two abstentions – Pakistan and Colombia. The text was already diluted from the initial goal of obtaining clearance to “unblock” the strait by force. The latest draft “strongly encourages states… to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation, including through the escort of merchant and commercial vessels.” It also “demands” that Iran “immediately cease all attacks against merchant and commercial vessels and any attempt to impede transit passage or freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” The critical waterway has been nearly blocked since the United States and Israel launched their war of aggression on February 28, sending ripple effects throughout the global economy. Iran says it has not blocked the strait but imposed restrictions due to the security conditions created in the wake of the war on the country. Tehran says all vessels must coordinate with it before trying to pass the waterway, which lies within its territorial waters. It says it will not allow ships affiliated with the aggressors and their supporters to pass through the strait. The Iranian Parliament has recently been discussing legislation to create a new legal regime for the strait to charge fees for safe transit through the strait.