"Iran Cuts Off Its Own Lifeline: Will Closing the Strait of Hormuz Backfire?"

Iran, after being attacked by airstrikes from the United States and Israel, has closed the Strait of Hormuz. However, some point out that this decision could backfire, as it would block Iran’s only channel for importing food from abroad.

On March 4, the Financial Times (FT) reported that following Iran’s blockade of the strait, ships have been navigating to avoid the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, the food supply in the Middle East has also reportedly been disrupted. According to the outlet, most food and grain entering the Gulf region must pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Amid Iran's declaration to close the Strait of Hormuz, oil tankers were seen anchored off the coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 3rd (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News Agency

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Previously, after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, Iran responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key international oil shipping route. This also halted grain imports to the Gulf region. According to estimates by commodity information provider Kpler, in the previous year alone, 30 million tons of grain were imported into the Gulf region, with nearly half-14 million tons-destined for Iran.

Iran is not the only country affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia imports about 40% of its oilseeds (seeds used for oil production) through its seaports, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) brings in 90% through Jebel Ali in Dubai. The impact is also expected to reach Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia, which use the UAE as a transshipment hub.

Christian Henderson, Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands, warned in an interview with FT, “There is an immediate risk of food insecurity in the Gulf region,” explaining that this is because Gulf countries are extremely dependent on imported food.

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In Iran’s case, even before the recent airstrikes, the country was already suffering from chronic high prices of foodstuffs. According to data from the Statistical Center of Iran, as of February 19, the inflation rate for food and beverages reached 105%.

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