Source: UN News: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 00:00 AM
The Strait of Hormuz is an important commercial shipping route, over which both the US and Iran are claiming control. Amid an uptick in attacks in the region, UN agencies on Monday appealed for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution. condemn the attacksUN Secretary General on Sunday decided to pursue talks with America and Iran appeal Did. after this, international maritime organizationThe IMO Council condemned the recent attacks on civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas exports passed through this route. The council called for an early de-escalation of tensions at the conclusion of its 137th session on Monday. In a separate resolution, it said that the right of free passage of ships through straits used for international navigation should not be restricted or suspended in any way. IMO also reiterated that all measures by coastal countries to control traffic on vital sea lanes, International conventions related to safety of life at sea And should be in accordance with the rules of the IMO. Right of passage The Council said that any arrangement between the littoral countries of the region to deal with the current challenges to navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz should give all ships the right of passage without discrimination and without obstruction. This passage is adopted by the IMO in 1968, and is internationally recognized traffic separation system US President Donald Trump said on social media on Monday that the strait “will remain open”. He also said that Washington will re-impose the blockade of Iranian ports. Plan to levy tariffs President Trump said that the US, as the “protector” of the waterway, will levy a 20 percent tariff on all goods passing through it. According to him, this fee is necessary to ensure “security and safety”. In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media that Donald Trump is “absolutely right”, but Iran will charge less. “We will remain impartial,” he said. The IMO Council reiterated that international law and the 1948 IMO convention The Council also urged the UN Secretary-General to explore alternatives to safe maritime transport and work with coastal states, other Member States and the maritime industry to ensure a coordinated and sustainable resumption of unhindered navigation. Far-reaching impacts of the crisis Report According to , the humanitarian and economic effects of the crisis that has been going on for several months in the ‘Strait of Hormuz’ are coming to the fore. This organization analyzes and assesses humanitarian needs. According to the World Bank, the almost continuous closure of the strait since February has led to a sharp rise in commodity prices around the world. Global energy prices have increased by 24 percent since the war began. The World Bank had estimated in April that fertilizer prices could increase by more than 30 percent in 2026. UNCTAD According to , the effects of the current crisis could be similar to the surge in commodity prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The impact of that crisis persists on local economies, years after energy markets were reformed. UNCTAD warned that its effects on gross domestic product (GDP), food systems and government finances in Africa continued long after the initial price increases. This threatens to have deep and permanent side effects on the progress of development.