German foreign minister says shipping disruptions resulting from conflicts could lead to famine

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking from an aircraft on his way to a foreign ministers' conference in Istanbul, has called for collective action to safeguard international shipping lanes. Wadephul emphasized that the disruptions caused by conflicts can have severe consequences, warning that delays in essential deliveries such as fertilizers could lead to widespread famine in certain regions.

He is scheduled to meet with foreign ministers from Turkey, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The minister highlighted the ongoing conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, the attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia, and Russia's escalations in the Black Sea, all of which are threatening global trade in energy and fertilizers.

Wadephul expressed his concern that Iran and the Houthi militias are using global trade as leverage, further exacerbating the energy and fertilizer supply shortages. He stressed that such indiscriminate attacks on shipping and neighboring nations must cease. The meeting aims to make significant strides in addressing these conflicts, with discussions also set to cover other issues, including the situation in Gaza, the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, and the violence perpetrated by Jewish settlers against Palestinians.