UN official urges Iran, US to let fertilizers through Hormuz Strait

Antalya, Turkey - Iran and the United States must allow fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz immediately to alleviate the crisis in vulnerable nations, a senior UN official warned on Saturday. Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services, spoke during COP31 climate talks in Antalya. The lack of fertilizers could push millions into poverty, he said.

The Iranian blockade of the crucial waterway, which began after the US-Israeli attack on Iran in late February, has disrupted shipping in the region and beyond. The US blockade of Iranian ports has further exacerbated the situation. Both countries should negotiate a comprehensive deal, but also take immediate steps to address the fertilizer crisis, Moreira da Silva emphasized.

He suggested that five vessels a day with fertilizers should be allowed through. The UN task force he leads is tasked with ensuring the safe passage of fertilizers during the crisis. Before the conflict, a third of the world's fertilizers passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Since the blockades, prices have risen by 30 percent. The shortage disproportionately affects vulnerable countries, he added.

Sudan's finance minister reported that food prices had doubled in six months, while in Nepal, farmers could no longer afford fertilizers. The UN has a system ready to facilitate fertilizer shipments within seven to 10 days, he said.