Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are beginning to affect agricultural harvests, raising concerns about lower crop yields and higher food prices, according to a United Nations agency.

The warning highlights how instability around one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes can extend beyond energy markets and affect global food supplies. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for international trade, and prolonged shipping disruptions can increase costs and delay the movement of essential commodities.

Agriculture is particularly vulnerable when disruptions affect the availability and transportation of key inputs, including fuel and fertilizer. Higher costs and delays can put pressure on farmers during important stages of the growing season, potentially reducing yields and increasing production expenses.

If these pressures persist, the consequences could reach consumers through higher prices for food and other agricultural products. Countries that rely heavily on imported agricultural inputs or food supplies may face particular challenges.

The warning comes amid wider concerns about the economic consequences of conflict and shipping insecurity in the Middle East. While the immediate effects may vary by region and crop, prolonged disruption could add to existing pressures on food affordability and supply chains.

The UN agency’s assessment underscores the connection between maritime security, agricultural production and global food prices, highlighting the need to protect trade routes and limit further disruption to essential supplies.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations has warned that the risk of renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip is growing, as conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories remain fragile despite a ceasefire.

Speaking during an open debate at the UN Security Council on the Middle East and the Palestinian question on Thursday, UN official Ramiz Alakbarov warned that the situation remains deeply concerning. He said that, one year after the ceasefire, there had been little improvement in the lives of people in Gaza and that the risk of a return to war was greater than ever.

The warning underscores continuing concerns over the fragile security situation in Gaza, where residents continue to face uncertainty and humanitarian challenges. The UN Security Council discussion brought together dozens of speakers to address developments in the Middle East and the prospects for peace.

The United Nations has repeatedly stressed the need to protect civilians, improve humanitarian conditions and pursue a political process that can deliver lasting peace. The latest warning highlights the danger that continued instability could undermine efforts to prevent renewed hostilities.

The debate also addressed the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the need to end violence, displacement and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank as part of efforts to achieve a viable Palestinian state. The UN’s warning adds to international concern that, without sustained progress toward stability and a political settlement, Gaza could again face a dangerous escalation in violence.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold a quarterly open debate on Thursday on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, amid continuing regional tensions and concerns over the future of peace efforts.

The meeting is expected to focus on developments affecting Palestinians, the broader Middle East situation and international efforts to advance peace. The debate comes shortly after the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

Ramiz Alakbarov, the Acting Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Resident Coordinator, is expected to brief the Council, according to Security Council meeting previews. The debate also comes approximately one year after Israel and Hamas agreed to a US-brokered framework to end the Gaza conflict in October 2025. The UN Security Council subsequently endorsed the framework through Resolution 2803 in November 2025.

Council members are expected to discuss the implementation of peace efforts, the situation affecting Palestinians and the prospects for a lasting political settlement. The meeting is taking place under Greece’s presidency of the Security Council for October. The outcome of Thursday’s debate, including any new commitments or formal Council action, had not been confirmed in the available information at the time of writing.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations has warned of continuing security challenges along the Israel-Lebanon border as the future of its peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon remains uncertain ahead of the expiration of its current mandate at the end of 2026.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, has highlighted the importance of maintaining stability and ensuring that arrangements are in place to prevent renewed hostilities as the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approaches the end of its mandate.

Established in 1978, UNIFIL monitors the situation along the Blue Line, the UN-designated boundary separating Lebanon from Israel. The mission also supports efforts to reduce tensions, facilitate humanitarian access and help maintain stability in southern Lebanon.

The future of the peacekeeping operation has become a significant concern amid continuing tensions in the region and questions about how security monitoring will be maintained after the mission’s mandate expires.

The Israel-Lebanon border has experienced repeated periods of violence, including exchanges of fire and military operations that have threatened civilians and damaged infrastructure. UN peacekeepers play an important role in monitoring developments, reporting violations and maintaining communication between the parties to reduce the risk of escalation.

The possible withdrawal or restructuring of the mission raises questions about how these responsibilities would be handled in the future. Any transition would require careful coordination to avoid creating a security vacuum along the sensitive border.

The United Nations has emphasized the importance of respecting the Blue Line and implementing Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted in 2006 to help end that year’s Israel-Hezbollah conflict and establish arrangements for lasting security in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon continues to confront significant political, economic and security pressures. Instability along its southern border has contributed to displacement, damaged communities and complicated efforts to restore normal life in affected areas. Civilians remain particularly vulnerable to renewed fighting, while damage to homes, roads and essential services can make recovery difficult.

International diplomatic efforts have focused on preventing further escalation and strengthening the Lebanese state’s authority in the south. The role of UNIFIL remains part of wider discussions about implementing existing security arrangements and supporting long-term stability.

The future of UNIFIL will depend on decisions by the UN Security Council and consultations with relevant parties. Any changes to the mission will require consideration of the security environment, the needs of local communities and the arrangements necessary to preserve stability. The United Nations continues to stress that a lasting solution requires full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, respect for the Blue Line and sustained diplomatic engagement.

As discussions over the mission’s future continue, international attention remains focused on whether effective security arrangements can be maintained and the risk of renewed conflict reduced. The decisions taken in the coming months could have significant implications for peacekeeping, civilian protection and stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations has warned that escalating violence, restricted humanitarian access and worsening living conditions are deepening the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, leaving vulnerable families struggling to obtain food, clean water and essential medical care.

UN humanitarian officials have raised concerns about insecurity and access restrictions, particularly in areas around Taiz, where fighting and blocked roads are disrupting the delivery of lifesaving assistance. The situation is placing additional pressure on communities already affected by years of conflict, displacement and economic hardship.

Humanitarian organizations face significant challenges reaching people in need as insecurity limits movement and interrupts aid operations. Restrictions on access can prevent emergency supplies from reaching displaced families and other vulnerable populations, increasing the risk of hunger, disease and further displacement.

Yemen remains one of the world’s most serious humanitarian emergencies. Years of conflict have damaged essential infrastructure, weakened public services and disrupted the country’s economy. Many families face severe food insecurity as rising prices and declining purchasing power make basic necessities increasingly difficult to afford. Hospitals and health facilities continue to face shortages of medical supplies, while access to clean water and sanitation remains a major concern in many communities.

Children, displaced people and households headed by women are among those particularly vulnerable to the crisis. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that interruptions in food assistance and healthcare can have devastating consequences for people who have few alternatives.

The United Nations is urging all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law and allow humanitarian organizations to deliver assistance safely and without unnecessary restrictions. UN officials have also stressed the importance of protecting humanitarian personnel and ensuring that aid workers can carry out their duties without intimidation or violence.

Continued access restrictions threaten to undermine relief operations at a time when humanitarian needs remain substantial. The UN has called for cooperation to ensure that food, medicine and other essential supplies reach affected communities. Humanitarian agencies depend on international funding to provide emergency food assistance, healthcare, clean water and shelter to vulnerable populations in Yemen. However, the scale of the crisis continues to place considerable demands on available resources.

The UN has emphasized that emergency assistance must be accompanied by sustained diplomatic efforts to reduce violence and support a lasting political settlement. Without improved humanitarian access, adequate funding and progress toward peace, millions of Yemenis risk facing further hardship. The situation highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to protect civilians, support humanitarian operations and address the underlying causes of Yemen’s prolonged crisis.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain severe as shortages of medical supplies, damaged infrastructure and obstacles to reconstruction continue to challenge efforts to restore essential services.

The United Nations and its humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that Gaza’s health system remains under enormous pressure. In a UN Geneva briefing earlier this month, the World Health Organization said that no hospital in Gaza was fully functional, citing chronic shortages of medicines and medical equipment.

WHO said medical supplies can face lengthy approval procedures before entering Gaza. According to the agency, medical shipments had waited a median of 74 days for approval, while some equipment had been repeatedly rejected or delayed.

The consequences extend beyond hospitals. Without adequate diagnostic equipment and laboratory supplies, health authorities face greater difficulty identifying and responding to disease outbreaks. The humanitarian situation is also tied closely to the enormous scale of physical destruction.

A recent UN Trade and Development assessment estimated that Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction needs have reached approximately $71.5 billion. The assessment, based on work by the World Bank, European Union and United Nations, estimated physical infrastructure damage at $35.2 billion and economic and social losses at $22.7 billion as of early 2026.

Housing represents the largest category of damage and reconstruction needs. Educational and healthcare facilities have also suffered extensive damage, with more than half of hospitals and primary healthcare clinics reported as non-functional in the assessment.

Agriculture has been severely affected as well. UNCTAD reported that less than 1.5% of Gaza’s cropland remained accessible and undamaged, increasing dependence on humanitarian food assistance.

The humanitarian crisis is unfolding alongside continuing political disputes over Gaza’s future, security arrangements, disarmament and reconstruction.

A Washington Post report published Thursday said reconstruction remains largely stalled despite a U.S.-backed framework, citing disagreements over implementation and security arrangements. The report said hundreds of thousands of Palestinians continue to live amid extensive destruction and inadequate infrastructure.

For international aid agencies, the challenge is therefore twofold: providing immediate assistance while establishing conditions that allow Gaza’s basic infrastructure and economy to recover.

UNCTAD said large-scale international financial and technical assistance will be required for recovery. It identified rebuilding agriculture, industry, construction, energy and technology as important elements of longer-term economic recovery.

The UN’s humanitarian agencies continue to call for predictable and sufficient access for medical and humanitarian supplies, warning that the scale of need remains far greater than current response capacity.

LONDON — Oil prices jumped sharply Thursday as attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz intensified concerns about global energy supplies.

Brent crude futures rose about 4.5% to $104.75 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased about 4.5% to $92.28, according to Reuters. Both benchmarks reached their highest levels in more than a week.

The latest price increase reflects a combination of geopolitical and supply concerns. Shipping attacks in the Gulf have increased, while uncertainty surrounding Iran and the security of the Strait of Hormuz has made traders increasingly concerned about the reliability of energy shipments.

The Strait is particularly important because it handled shipments equivalent to approximately 20% of global oil and fuel flows before the current conflict. Any prolonged reduction in traffic could have consequences well beyond the Middle East.

The latest attacks have also increased the cost and difficulty of moving energy products. Shipping companies are reassessing routes, while producers are looking for alternative ways to move oil and fuel to international markets.

At the same time, the United States is facing an additional supply concern because Hurricane Isaias is disrupting offshore oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. Reuters reported that more than 25% of current U.S. Gulf oil production and more than 16% of natural-gas production had been shut in because of the storm as of Wednesday.

Major energy companies, including Shell and Chevron, have curtailed offshore operations as the hurricane approaches.

The International Energy Agency has also moved to accelerate the release of emergency oil stocks and prioritize diesel supplies as governments respond to high fuel prices and supply disruptions.

U.S. inventory data provided another source of upward pressure on prices. Crude inventories declined more than analysts had expected, while diesel inventories also fell.

The combination of Middle East tensions, shipping disruptions and reduced U.S. offshore production has created an unusually uncertain energy market.

For consumers, sustained increases in crude prices could eventually affect gasoline, diesel, airline and transportation costs. The extent of any impact will depend on how long shipping disruptions continue and whether alternative supply routes can compensate for reduced flows through the Gulf. Markets remain particularly sensitive to developments involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

WASHINGTON DC — Tensions between the United States and Iran are intensifying as risks to commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz increase, raising fresh concerns about global energy supplies and maritime security.

Iran has warned regional countries that attempts to establish or use alternative oil-export routes could be considered hostile, according to regional officials briefed on Tehran’s position. The warnings come after a sharp increase in attacks and incidents involving commercial vessels in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters reported Thursday that tanker attacks last week reached their highest level since the current Iran war began. The increase has contributed to a significant decline in vessel traffic through the strategic waterway.

The latest reported incident involved the chemical tanker Acers, which was struck by multiple projectiles north of Qatar. Maritime authorities said members of the crew sustained minor injuries. The incident occurred outside the Strait itself but highlighted concerns that the maritime security threat could extend to approaches involving Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Before the current conflict, shipments equivalent to roughly 20% of global oil and fuel flows passed through the waterway. Disruptions there can therefore affect not only countries in the Middle East but also energy prices, transportation costs and consumers worldwide.

The United States is considering additional measures toward Iran, while military activity and the security situation in the region continue to evolve. Reuters reported that U.S. naval and other options are under consideration as Washington weighs its response.

Oil-producing countries in the Gulf have been seeking alternative transportation arrangements, including routes that use the Omani side of the Strait before transferring shipments farther out in the Gulf of Oman.

The crisis is also affecting shipping companies. Higher risks and insurance and logistics costs are adding pressure to international trade, while companies are adjusting routes and fees in response to the uncertain security environment.

For Americans, the immediate concern is the potential economic impact. Prolonged disruption around Hormuz could place additional pressure on crude oil, gasoline, diesel and transportation prices.

The situation remains fluid, with governments and shipping operators closely monitoring developments across the Gulf.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Three years after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the killings and hostage-taking while calling for an end to the continuing suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.

In a message marking the anniversary, Guterres said more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed in the attacks, in which civilians were targeted in their homes, communities and at a music festival. Another 251 people were abducted and taken hostage in Gaza, according to the United Nations.

“Nothing can justify these atrocities,” Guterres said, recalling meetings with Israeli families whose lives were devastated by the attacks. He also cited reports of torture, sexual violence and other mistreatment of hostages, as well as deaths in captivity and during the subsequent fighting.

Guterres also highlighted the extensive Palestinian civilian toll from the war that followed. According to UN agencies, more than 70,000 Palestinians, including about 20,000 children, have been killed, while more than 100,000 have been wounded. Nearly all of Gaza’s estimated 2.1 million residents have been displaced, and large parts of the territory have been destroyed.

“Civilians continue to endure intolerable conditions,” Guterres said, adding that their suffering “demands an end – now.”

The secretary-general said the ceasefire reached in October 2025 had brought some relief but had not yet delivered lasting security, sufficient humanitarian assistance or a credible path toward recovery and peace.

He urged all parties to fulfill their commitments and proceed to the next phase of the ceasefire under UN Security Council Resolution 2803. He also called for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza on a large scale and for the ceasefire to become permanent.

The UN humanitarian office, OCHA, said Israeli authorities had suspended the entry of cargo into Gaza on Monday and announced another suspension for Wednesday, citing security concerns related to the anniversary.

Guterres said the anniversary should serve not only as a day of mourning but also as an opportunity to pursue a different future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live together with their rights, dignity and aspirations respected.

TEHRAN – Iran’s top diplomat insisted on Sunday that there would be no military solution to the United States’ war against the Islamic republic, with talks on ending the conflict apparently at an impasse. A campaign of heavy bombardment failed to bring a decisive close to the war launched by the US and Israel in late February, and Washington in recent weeks has dialled back military operations in favour of economic pressure.

The main point of contention remains Iran’s attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for Gulf oil and gas where a UK maritime agency reported on Sunday another tanker struck by an unknown projectile. “If our enemies again choose the path of military confrontation, our response will be stronger than before, and we will defend ourselves with even more force,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a gathering of foreign ambassadors.

“There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions,” he continued, adding “only negotiations based on justice and fairness” could end the conflict. The two sides agreed a memorandum of understanding in June that spelled out a framework for a permanent resolution, but Iranian attacks on vessels in the Hormuz prompted a return to US military operations.

Iran has sought to impose its control over the vital shipping lane since the start of the war, striking vessels that attempt to transit without its authorisation. The US has imposed its own counterblockade of Iranian ports, and has also struck vessels it accuses of violating it.

On Sunday, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said a tanker in the Hormuz “reported being struck by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the engine room”, though the crew were reported safe and no environmental impact was recorded. The agency did not specify the date of the incident, the vessel’s origin or destination, or whether it was an oil tanker or LNG carrier.

Iranian and US officials last week held indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with Tehran saying it presented seven conditions for reopening the strait. Iran has demanded, among other things, a ceasefire across the Middle East, the unfreezing of its assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade.

Trump, however, rejected the proposal, while leaving the door open both to further talks or renewed military operations. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Sunday characterised the latest US counterproposal as being “in line with their previous proposals concerning nuclear issues”.

“We have clearly indicated that we are focusing on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that reopening the waterway required “an end to the disruptions to Iranian commercial maritime traffic and the lifting of sanctions”.

The United States and Israel have characterised the war as being necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons — a goal it has long denied pursuing — though the focus soon shifted to reopening the Hormuz after its closure sent shockwaves through world energy markets. The United States has not struck Iran since September 1, but it has recently pursued a fresh military buildup in the region.

US media outlet Axios reported that Washington has deployed additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help protect key energy facilities from possible Iranian retaliation. It also reported that the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group were heading to the Middle East, where they could join two other US carrier strike groups already in the region.

Axios reported that top Trump cabinet members met Friday to discuss the war in Iran, as well as the conflict in Yemen, where the Tehran-backed Houthis have been fighting government forces and attacking Saudi Arabia.