A senior United Nations official has warned that parts of Asia and Africa could face a food security crisis unless Iran and the United States quickly agree on a UN-backed plan to move fertiliser through the embattled Strait of Hormuz, as planting season approaches.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN Under-Secretary-General, said on Wednesday that it was "absolutely critical" that the two countries agree to the proposal within weeks. Speaking on the sidelines of International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, he warned that missing the planting season would significantly drop agricultural productivity and increase prices.
The plan, drawn up in March, calls for a UN-staffed coordination centre in Oman to register vessels and oversee their safe passage through the waterway. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, with Iran targeting vessels and both sides exchanging fire. Before the war, roughly a third of global urea shipments and nearly half of seaborne sulphur passed through the strait. These are key inputs for fertiliser production.
Although some ships have sailed through during the crisis, fertiliser products have made up a "very negligible" share of moving cargo, according to the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute.
Moreira da Silva said the mechanism could be activated within seven to 10 days if both Iran and the US agree. Under the plan, UN monitors would work alongside local authorities at Gulf ports to verify cargo loading, and ships would be tracked during transit. Additional inspections could be carried out if concerns arise about a vessel or its cargo. He added that the passage of only five vessels per day through the strait could keep fertiliser supplies flowing to countries in critical need. He did not explain why the two countries have not yet agreed.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The disruption of fertiliser shipments through the Strait of Hormuz threatens food production in vulnerable regions of Asia and Africa.
- Farmers operate on strict crop calendars; even slight delays in fertiliser availability could severely reduce yields and drive up food prices globally.
- The outcome may set a precedent for how the UN can mediate safe passage of essential goods during active conflict.
Background
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Before the current conflict, it was a critical chokepoint for global energy and commodity trade. Since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, Iran has targeted vessels in the strait and both sides have exchanged fire, severely disrupting shipping. Fertiliser inputs like urea and sulphur are among the goods most affected, and a UN plan to facilitate safe passage has been on the table since March but has not yet been adopted.
Key Perspectives
United Nations: The UN sees the plan as a practical, neutral mechanism to ensure essential fertiliser reaches countries in need, and calls for rapid agreement to protect the upcoming planting season.
Iran and the United States: Both countries have not yet agreed to the proposal. Their reasons are not specified in the available reporting, but their ongoing hostilities likely complicate any coordinated effort.
Critics/Skeptics: Security risks remain high; even with UN monitoring, vessels may still be vulnerable to attacks or harassment in a contested waterway. Additionally, the plan requires trust from both sides that cargo is legitimate and not being used for military purposes.
What to Watch
- Whether Iran and the US agree to the UN plan within the next few weeks, before key planting seasons begin.
- Fertiliser prices and availability in importing countries in Asia and Africa as an indicator of supply stress.
- Any further escalations in the Strait of Hormuz that could make the plan unworkable even if agreed.