Two oil tankers catch fire after hitting naval mines east of Strait of Hormuz

Two oil tankers caught fire after colliding with naval mines east of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The incident occurred in a restricted, unsafe, and prohibited area. Officials stated that the vessels had switched off their tracking, identification, and navigation systems during transit.

According to reports from various outlets, the incident involved two supertankers carrying more than 4 million barrels of oil. These vessels were disabled by explosions on Wednesday night. While some reports indicate a single tanker caught fire on Saturday morning, other reports state that two tankers caught fire on Saturday.

Regional tensions and blockades

The maritime incident follows a period of heightened tension in the region. A joint US-Israeli attack against Iran occurred in late February, which led to an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the United States has implemented a blockade of Iranian ports.

The disruption of shipping lanes has had significant economic consequences. One media outlet reported that fertilizer prices have risen by 30 percent since the blockades began. Prior to the current conflict, one third of the world's fertilizers passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Global food security warnings

The instability in the Strait of Hormuz has prompted urgent calls for humanitarian action. Speaking at the COP31 climate talks in Antalya, Turkey, on Saturday, Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services, addressed the growing crisis. Jorge Moreira da Silva said that Iran and the United States should negotiate a comprehensive deal but must find an immediate solution for fertilizer shipments.

The UN official warned that the lack of fertilizers could push millions into poverty. According to reports from various outlets, 45 million people may face severe and acute food insecurity, and 30 million people may be forced into poverty. Specific regions facing significant impacts include Mozambique, Kenya, Somalia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. In Sudan, the finance minister reported doubled food prices, while farmers in Nepal have struggled to afford fertilizer.

The UN has requested the movement of five fertilizer vessels a day to mitigate the crisis. Officials noted that it takes approximately 7 to 10 days for the UN system to move these fertilizer shipments.