UN chief proposes to ease fertilizer shipments through Strait of Hormuz

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed Monday that the UN facilitate fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to reduce risks and support coordinated transport. Guterres suggested creating a vessel registration and verification mechanism for fertilizer and related products, supplemented by an Oman-led incident prevention system. He stressed the mechanism would not approve transits or alter international law rights. Iran closed the strategic strait in retaliation for US-Israeli bombings on February 28, disrupting a fifth of global hydrocarbon consumption. Tehran plans transit fees, rejected by Washington, while President Trump claims absolute US control over the waterway.