‘US Has Taken Global Food Security Hostage by Naval Blockade of Iran’

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 2, 2026

A senior Iranian agricultural advisor warned that the U.S. naval blockade of Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting global shipments of key fertilizers, particularly urea, which pass through this critical waterway. This disruption threatens worldwide food security by potentially reducing agricultural yields and increasing food production costs in the upcoming seasons.

A senior Iranian agricultural advisor has warned that the United States' naval blockade of Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threaten global food security by disrupting the supply of key agricultural inputs, particularly chemical fertilizers.

Arsalan Ghasemi, an adviser in Iran’s agricultural sector and head of the Trade Development and Facilitation and Resource Equipment Center of the Iran Cooperative Chamber, highlighted the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil transits. He emphasized that in addition to energy supplies, the strait serves as a major route for exporting petrochemical products essential to global agriculture, especially urea fertilizer.

Iran produces around six million tons of urea fertilizer annually, with about 2.5 million tons consumed domestically and the remainder exported. Ghasemi noted that approximately 65 to 70 percent of the world’s urea fertilizer shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making the region a vital source of these agricultural inputs. He asserted that disruptions caused by the U.S. naval blockade have effectively "taken the world hostage," as these restrictions hinder the export of fertilizers that are crucial for farmers worldwide.

Ghasemi explained that the current blockade impacts not only the energy sector but also global agricultural production. He forecasted that the immediate effect would be a reduction in agricultural yields in coming seasons as fertilizer supplies decline. This shortage, he warned, could lead to higher production costs and contribute to rising food prices internationally.

The statement draws attention to the possible ripple effects of geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf on global supply chains for both energy and agriculture. Ghasemi stressed that any interference with the flow of urea and similar petrochemical fertilizers from the region would directly affect farming outputs globally, compounding challenges to food security.

While the U.S. government has imposed sanctions and maritime restrictions aimed at Iran, Iranian officials characterize these measures as an unlawful blockade with wide-reaching consequences beyond regional politics. The adviser concluded that the international community could face severe food insecurity issues due to these disruptions, which may become more pronounced in the agricultural cycle ahead.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.