The ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz could push tens of millions of people into poverty and trigger severe global food insecurity if disruptions persist.

Axar.az reports, citing the UN, that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that even in the best-case scenario—if restrictions on navigation were lifted immediately—global supply chains would still take months to recover, with slower economic growth, rising inflation, and weakened global trade.

“Thirty-two million people pushed into poverty; fertilizers run low and crops yields fall; 45 million more people face extreme hunger; and hard-won development gains reversed overnight,” Mr. Guterres stated.

“These consequences are not cumulative. They are exponential,” Mr. Guterres stressed, cautioning that “the longer this vital artery is choked, the harder it will be to reverse the damage.”

He urged the immediate restoration of navigational freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, calling on all parties to allow shipping to resume without obstruction.

“My message to all parties is clear: Navigational rights and freedoms must be restored immediately ... Open the Strait. Let all ships pass. Let the global economy breathe again.”