Iran's mission to the United Nations accused the United States of using the Security Council as a political instrument to support what it termed "illegal actions." In a statement, the mission asserted that any support for a resolution against Iran resulting from pressure and coercion cannot legitimize the US naval blockade, illegal attacks on Iranian commercial vessels, and the seizure of their crews in an act resembling piracy. The mission explained that many countries joined the draft resolution under political pressure and direct US threats. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources revealed that Washington amended its proposed UN draft resolution by removing a clause based on Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which permits measures up to military action, while retaining stringent language against Iran and a provision for the Council to reconvene in case of non-compliance to consider sanctions ensuring freedom of navigation. Russia and China had previously vetoed an earlier US-backed draft resolution last month.