UN offers to help fertilizer transit through Hormuz

The United Nations offered Monday to help facilitate fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been disrupted during the Iran war.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the aim was “to reduce immediate risks, support more orderly and predictable transit, and help rebuild the confidence necessary for diplomacy and de-escalation”.

Guterres said the UN would not authorize passage through the strait or change the rights or obligations of states under international law. He said it would act as a neutral facilitator by registering and verifying ships carrying fertilizer and related products.

“Of course, it can only be done if the countries that are involved in this conflict all agree to accept the mechanism,” Guterres said.

Iran has blocked shipping through the strait in response to US and Israeli strikes that began on February 28. The disruption has affected oil, natural gas and other commodities including fertilizer.

Guterres said the coordination mechanism would be managed from Oman, which lies on the southern side of the strait opposite Iran.

Tehran has indicated it intends to impose fees on ships transiting the strait, a move opposed by the United States and others in the region. US President Donald Trump has said he has “total control” of the strait and has asserted that it is US territory as it blocks shipping to and from Iranian ports.