UN proposes Hormuz shipping plan to ease fertilizer crisis

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed Monday that the UN facilitate maritime fertilizer shipments disrupted by the paralysis of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The goal is to reduce immediate risks and support de-escalation. Guterres suggested creating a mechanism to register and verify vessels carrying fertilizers and related products, with an incident-prevention system piloted by Oman. He stressed the mechanism would not approve transits or alter states' rights under international law. The proposal follows Iran's closure of the strait in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, a waterway that carried one-fifth of global hydrocarbons. Tehran plans to impose transit fees, which the US rejects, while President Trump claims Washington has "absolute control" over the area.