Three sailors have reportedly lost their lives following a recent attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman. The United States stated that the assault was carried out as part of its operations to enforce a blockade.
The escalating tit-for-tat attacks between the US and Iran pose a significant threat, especially after the suspension of negotiations aimed at ending the war. President Trump previously stated on social media that Iran would be “hit very hard” and that the US would “take complete control of its oil and gas markets.”
Attacks Deemed ‘Absolutely Unacceptable’
According to the UN’s maritime agency, the latest incident brings the total confirmed maritime deaths since the crisis began on February 28 to 14. The agency has confirmed 46 attacks on international shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz during this period.
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, strongly condemned the attacks, labeling them “absolutely unacceptable.” Dominguez stated, “I strongly condemn any action by any party that endangers the lives of seafarers and the security of international shipping.”
Mariners Under Pressure
Beyond the fatalities, the UN maritime agency warns that thousands of civilian mariners are exposed to increasing risks. It is estimated that approximately 20,000 mariners are currently serving on commercial and offshore vessels throughout the Gulf region. The IMO notes that many crews are operating under constant security threats and severe psychological pressure, with some crews being detained by parties to the conflict.
‘Global Food Security Risk’
While the Strait of Hormuz is often viewed through the lens of energy markets, the consequences of escalating tensions extend far beyond oil. Earlier this week, the Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu, highlighted that the closure and disruption of the waterway pose a “global food security risk.”
Qu indicated that roughly 35% of global crude oil exports, 20% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, 20% to 30% of global fertilizer exports, and about half of global sulfur exports pass through this narrow maritime corridor. “These flows are vital for global food production,” Qu emphasized.
At the outset of the crisis, the FAO warned that the primary danger was not an immediate food shortage but a “delayed shock” to fertilizer supply and agricultural production. One hundred days later, these concerns are becoming increasingly apparent. Farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are facing higher production costs and difficult decisions regarding fertilizer use, crop selection, and investment. This situation could lead to weaker harvests and higher food prices in the coming months.
Food Prices Begin to Climb
Signs of this pressure are already emerging. The FAO reported that the cereal price index in May increased by 2.6% compared to April and was nearly 5% higher than a year ago. Wheat prices saw a monthly increase of 3.4% and were 7.8% higher compared to May 2025, while rice prices rose by 2.7%.
The agency urged governments to keep trade open, avoid export restrictions on agricultural inputs, protect food corridors, and secure alternative logistics routes. It also promotes more efficient fertilizer use, precision agriculture, and alternative crops.
Humanitarian Aid Efforts Affected
According to a WFP logistics bulletin from late May, the crisis has disrupted regional transport corridors, ports, airspace, border crossings, and fuel supply chains in the Middle East and beyond. The impacts are particularly felt in Afghanistan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territories, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. Disruptions have also extended to humanitarian operations in East Africa. Fuel prices have surged in many countries; diesel prices in Lebanon have risen by over 62%, in Yemen by 44%, and gasoline prices in Pakistan have climbed by more than 60% since the crisis began.
A Crisis with Global Repercussions
More than 100 days after the hostilities began, disruptions in the strait continue to reverberate with economic and humanitarian consequences far beyond the Middle East, affecting commercial shipping routes, aid corridors, farms, food markets, fuel prices, and households worldwide. On Thursday, Secretary-General Guterres reiterated his call from a high-level Security Council meeting the previous day, urging all parties to return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and to avoid further escalation. “The only way forward is through sincere dialogue and negotiations,” Guterres stated, calling on the US and Iran to “redouble their efforts towards a peaceful, comprehensive, and lasting settlement that advances regional and international peace and security.”
