UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that 45 million additional people could face hunger if restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz are not lifted by mid-year, as disruption linked to the Iran conflict continues to destabilise global supply chains.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Guterres made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where he called for the immediate reopening of the vital maritime corridor.
He said the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has now entered its third month, adding that conditions continue to deteriorate despite a declared ceasefire.
Guterres also expressed concern over restrictions affecting navigation rights and freedom of movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy and goods shipments.
He warned that the situation is “strangling the global economy”, with effects likely to be long-lasting and felt across multiple regions.
He added that even if the restrictions were lifted immediately, global supply chains would still require months to recover fully, given the scale of disruption.
The UN chief said prolonged instability could drive up prices and slow global economic growth, particularly through its impact on energy and shipping routes.
He urged all parties involved in the conflict to take immediate steps to reopen the waterway and restore normal maritime traffic, stressing that continued disruption risks deepening global food insecurity and economic fragility. - May 1, 2026
