UN offers to facilitate fertilizer transit through Hormuz

The United Nations has proposed a plan to help transport fertilizer through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that has been blocked due to the Iran conflict. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the offer during a press briefing, stating that the goal is to minimize immediate risks, promote orderly transit, and aid in rebuilding trust for diplomatic efforts.

Guterres clarified that the UN would not grant passage rights or deviate from international laws. Instead, the organization would act as a neutral facilitator, registering and verifying ships carrying fertilizer. This process can only proceed if all involved parties agree to the mechanism. Iran's blockade of the strait, initiated in response to US and Israeli strikes on February 28, has not only disrupted oil and natural gas shipping but also affected the flow of vital commodities like fertilizer.

Guterres, who initiated talks on the matter in March, mentioned that the coordination mechanism would be managed from Oman, a country situated on the southern end of the strait opposite Iran. Iran has proposed charging fees for ships using the strait, a move opposed by the US and other regional powers. Donald Trump, the US President, claims sole control over the strait, even asserting it as US territory as it obstructs shipping to and from Iranian ports.