United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres proposed on Monday that the international body act as a neutral facilitator to safeguard maritime shipments of fertilizers, which face mounting disruptions due to stalled traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The initiative aims to reduce immediate transit risks and restore predictability to supply chains affected by ongoing Middle East conflicts.
UN Proposal for Fertilizer Shipments in the Strait of Hormuz
The UN proposal follows preliminary discussions launched in March regarding regional maritime safety. Guterres outlined a plan to establish a vessel registration and verification mechanism specifically for carriers transporting fertilizers and related agricultural products. An incident-prevention mechanism managed from Oman would support this verification system.
Guterres emphasized during a press briefing at UN headquarters that the proposed framework would not alter existing legal rights or obligations of member states under international law, nor would it constitute a formal UN authorization for passage through the strait. Implementation depends entirely on the consent of all parties involved in the regional conflict, according to the Secretary-General.
Regional Tensions and Shipping Controls
The Strait of Hormuz has experienced severe disruptions following military actions in the region. The vital waterway previously handled roughly a fifth of the world’s petroleum supply before tensions escalated following Israeli-American strikes on Iranian soil on February 28.
In response to the strikes, Iranian authorities restricted transit through the corridor and announced plans to levy navigation fees on passing commercial vessels. This move has met firm opposition from the United States and several regional governments. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted operational control over the strait, stating intentions to make it a “territory américain” after the war.
Diplomatic Developments and Differing Stances
Diplomatic channels surrounding the waterway remain contested. President Trump recently announced that dialogue between the United States and Iran had resumed. However, Iranian officials disputed this claim, maintaining that no formal negotiations are currently taking place between Tehran and Washington.
Despite these diplomatic contradictions, the UN continues to position its proposed shipping facilitation framework as an independent measure. Guterres reiterated that the organization stands ready to deploy the verification mechanism as soon as regional stakeholders reach an agreement.
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