Bahrain has submitted a proposal to the United Nations Security Council seeking authorization for the use of force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters reporting.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil shipments pass. The narrow waterway has been a source of regional tension, with various incidents affecting commercial shipping in recent years.

Bahrain's proposal would require approval from the UN Security Council, where permanent members including the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom hold veto power. The specific details of the proposed force authorization and its scope were not immediately available.

The timing and context of Bahrain's proposal comes amid ongoing regional tensions in the Persian Gulf. The small island nation, which hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet, has been a key strategic ally in the region.

Any Security Council resolution on the matter would need to navigate complex regional dynamics and the competing interests of major powers with significant stakes in Middle Eastern affairs and global energy markets.