Russia and China block UN resolution to safeguard Hormuz trade routes

China and Russia used their vetoes even though Bahrain had significantly weakened its draft after China opposed authorising force.

The draft submitted to a vote dropped any authorisation of the use of force. An explicit reference to binding enforcement, included in an earlier draft, was also left out.

Instead the text strongly encouraged states, "to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz."

It also said such contributions could include, "the escort of merchant and commercial vessels," and endorsed efforts, "to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Caitlin Webber, Barbara Lewis and David Gregorio)