Rome, April 13 (SANA) – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned Monday that continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a global crisis affecting food and agriculture, due to disruptions in energy and fertilizer supplies.
According to Reuters, FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero said in a statement that poorer countries would be the most vulnerable under such conditions, as agricultural planting schedules and production seasons cannot tolerate delays.
Torero explained that any disruption in the supply of essential agricultural inputs would quickly translate into lower global crop production and rising inflation, ultimately slowing global economic growth.
Earlier Monday, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) stressed that no country has the right to close the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic.
Negotiations held between the United States and Iran at the end of last week ended without progress, after which US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a blockade on Iranian ports.
According to Washington, the blockade is set to begin at 14:00 GMT on Monday, targeting vessels heading to or departing from Iranian ports, a move that has already contributed to renewed increases in global oil and energy prices.
Kh.A
