The ongoing crisis around the Strait of Hormuz, triggered by the United States and Israel’s war on Iran, is posing a severe threat to food security in African countries. Rising fuel and fertilizer prices are expected to drive up food costs, prompting officials from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to urge for a swift resolution to the conflict.
Meanwhile, diplomatic initiatives are intensifying in the Middle East, with officials from the Makkah Alliance nations—Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey—engaging in talks with Iran to de-escalate regional tensions. These discussions aim to address the complex geopolitical landscape that emerged after the US and Israel initiated military action against Iran on February 28, 2026.
Strategic Importance and Economic Fallout
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global waterway, through which approximately 20% of the world’s total liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade and 25% of seaborne oil trade passed in 2025. Since the war on Iran began, Iran has significantly disrupted shipping traffic through the Strait.
This disruption has had widespread negative impacts on economies worldwide, particularly in African nations. In Zimbabwe, where over 70% of the population relies on agriculture, escalating fuel and fertilizer prices are a major concern, according to Monica Mutsvangwa, the country’s Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development. Similarly, Uganda has seen fuel prices more than double, and its currency has depreciated by 10% against the US dollar, as reported by Sanjay Tanna, Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
Luz Maria de la Mora, Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities at UNCTAD, warned that the dramatic increase in fertilizer prices has led many countries to reduce their use, which will affect crop yields next year and potentially impact food availability and prices.
Diplomatic Push for De-escalation
In an effort to ease tensions in the Middle East, officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey met with top Iranian leaders in Tehran. This marks the first joint visit by Makkah Alliance countries to Iran since the defense pact was formed in Mecca in August. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, and Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei.
Mohsen Rezaei described the talks in Tehran as “very good,” stating that he sensed a “new atmosphere emerging in the region.” He emphasized that regional security should be achieved by the countries themselves, without foreign intervention. The Saudi Foreign Ministry indicated that the primary goal of these talks is to de-escalate the current crisis and promote regional peace and security.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also stressed the critical need to prevent any escalation in the Middle East, urging that a combination of an overwhelming military attack on Iran and a retaliatory attack by Iran on Gulf countries must be avoided at all costs. These diplomatic efforts are taking place ahead of Israel’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for today, October 27, 2026.
Nepal’s Stake
The Strait of Hormuz crisis could indirectly affect Nepal’s trade. Nepal has limited trade relations with Iran, importing Rs 8.99 million worth of goods and exporting Rs 970,000 in the fiscal year 2082/83, according to Nepal’s Department of Customs. Increased regional tensions and rising fuel and fertilizer prices could impact global supply chains, potentially leading to higher prices for imported goods in Nepal.
The official results of Israel’s parliamentary elections, held today, October 27, 2026, are expected to be confirmed on November 4, and their outcome will further influence regional dynamics in the Middle East.
