The United Nations (UN) Security Council is scheduled to vote on a proposal to secure the Strait of Hormuz following major disruptions to global trade routes.
A draft resolution submitted by Bahrain has been weakened after receiving opposition from China and Russia over the use of military force.
The latest proposal only allows defensive action to ensure ships can safely pass through the strait, without involving offensive operations.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route that handles about a fifth of the world's oil supply. Iran's disruptions in the current conflict have caused a surge in global energy prices.
Previously, the original draft authorized countries to use all means, including military action, to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
However, veto-wielding countries such as China, Russia and France rejected the widespread use of force, causing the final draft to be amended to remove the offensive element.
The new proposal allows for the use of appropriate defensive measures for at least six months, including through naval cooperation between countries, with prior notification to the UN Security Council.
The development comes as US President Donald Trump has signaled that military operations against Iran will resume in the next two to three weeks, adding to the pressure on the regional situation.
At the same time, Iran has continued to launch retaliatory attacks and tighten control over the Strait of Hormuz, a major factor in global energy market volatility.
Russia's UN representative said the proposal did not address the root causes of the conflict, stressing that a real solution requires an end to hostilities.
China warned that the use of military force could trigger a greater escalation and have serious consequences, and called for dialogue and de-escalation.
France also supported de-escalation, emphasizing the use of limited defensive measures to avoid a wider conflict.
The scheduled vote is expected to be decisive for the security direction of one of the world's most important trade routes, amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
