Failure to activate Hormuz fertilizer plan could trigger food crisis, UN official says

A UN official warned on Wednesday that failure to activate a US-Iran plan to transport fertilizers through the Strait of Hormuz could ignite a food security crisis in Asia and Africa. The United Nations set up a taskforce in March to facilitate fertilizer passage, but has yet to implement the mechanism. UN Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva said the plan could be activated within 7-10 days of an agreement between Washington and Tehran, emphasizing the critical need to secure the deal promptly.

The UN official stressed that missing the planting season would significantly impact agriculture productivity and drive up commodity prices, particularly cereals and animal products. The proposed UN mechanism would use an Oman-based coordination center to oversee vessel registration and safe passage, with UN monitors collaborating with local authorities to verify cargo.

Iran and the US have been exchanging proposals for reopening the strait, but progress has been slow due to differing conditions. The official noted that the current crisis is compounded by threats to global food security from the Black Sea and Red Sea.