UN warns Hormuz disruption could impact global supplies, agriculture

As tensions in West Asia continue to escalate the United Nations has warned that disruptions in maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could trigger significant global ripple effects particularly on humanitarian supplies and agricultural production In a note to correspondents delivered by Stephane Dujarric Spokesman for the SecretaryGeneral on Friday local time UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres announced the creation of a dedicated task force to address the emerging challengesAccording to the note issued by the United Nations the task force will be led by Jorge Moreira da Silva who currently serves as Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services UNOPS The Task Force according to the official note will also include representatives from the UN Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD the International Maritime Organisation IMO and the International Chamber of Commerce ICCThe note said that additional entities may be invited to participate as needed The primary focus of the Task Force is to develop and propose technical mechanisms specifically designed to meet humanitarian needs in the Strait of HormuzDrawing inspiration from relevant UN initiatives including the UN Verification Inspection and Monitoring Mechanism for Yemen UNVIM the Black Sea Grain Initiative BSGI and the UN2720 Mechanism for Gaza this new mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz aims to facilitate fertiliser trade including the movement of related raw materials the note statedAccording to the note the mechanisms operationalisation will be done in close consultation with relevant Member States with full respect for national sovereignty and established international legal frameworks The note further said that if successful it would also create confidence among Member States on the diplomatic approach to the conflict and constitute a valuable step towards a wider political settlementAs part of his broader peacemaking mandate the SecretaryGenerals Personal Envoy Jean Arnault will lead political engagement with relevant Member States supported by the Task Force according to the official UN note Meanwhile US President Donald Trump referred to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz as the Strait of Trump later adding that he did not make any accidents while making these remarksSpeaking at the event in the Future Investment Initiative Priority Summit here Trump said They have to open up the Strait of Trump I mean Hormuz Excuse me Im so sorry Such a terrible mistake The fake news will say he accidentally said it Now there are no accidents with me Not too many In his address Trump also claimed that Iran was under pressure and willing to negotiate stating that Tehran had sent multiple shipments of oil as part of ongoing discussionsTheyre begging to make a deal he said adding that negotiations were currently underway The US President further suggested that opening the Strait of Hormuz a critical global oil transit chokepoint would be a key element in any potential agreement Trump has demanded that Iran fully reopen the crucial waterway within days warning that failure to do so would lead to the US obliterating its power plantsSeparately the Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven G7 underscored the absolute necessity of restoring safe and tollfree navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid the regional conflict in West Asia In a joint statement issued following their meeting under Frances G7 Presidency the ministers stressed the urgent need to ensure uninterrupted maritime transit in the critical energy corridor in accordance with international law including relevant UN frameworks and the Law of the SeaThis comes after a new report from the Shipping News website Lloyds List suggested that Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC imposed a de facto toll booth in the Strait of Hormuz as the conflict in West Asia has put enormous stress on one of the key global shipping routes This requires vessels to submit full documentation obtain clearance codes and accept IRGCescorted passage through a single controlled corridor the report statedHowever Indias Shipping Ministry earlier rejected reports of any proposed toll or levy on vessels transiting the Strait terming such claims baseless and reaffirming that the key maritime passage is governed by international conventions ensuring freedom of navigationThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever