Iran says it will ‘facilitate and expedite’ humanitarian aid through Strait of Hormuz

Iran says it will ‘facilitate and expedite’ humanitarian aid through Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, announced on Friday that Tehran has agreed to “facilitate and expedite” the movement of humanitarian supplies and agricultural goods through the Strait of Hormuz. This decision was made the same day that Israeli air strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, marking a significant development at the critical waterway following a month of conflict.

Bahreini emphasized that the aid plan represents the first progress in easing supply constraints at the chokepoint. While global markets and governments have primarily focused on disruptions to oil and natural gas exports, the restriction of fertiliser shipments has raised concerns about worldwide food security and agricultural stability.

“This measure shows Iran’s ongoing dedication to supporting humanitarian initiatives and ensuring essential aid reaches those in need promptly,” stated Bahreini on X.

The UN had previously established a task force to address the impact of the Iran war on aid distribution. The announcement followed Iranian state media reports that two nuclear sites had been attacked. Israel claimed responsibility for the strikes, and Iran swiftly vowed to retaliate, citing the U.S. president’s extended deadline for diplomatic efforts.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation confirmed that the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd Province were targeted. The strikes resulted in no casualties and posed no contamination risk, according to IRNA. The Arak facility has been non-operational since June’s Israeli attack. Yellowcake, a uranium concentrate, is crucial for nuclear reactors, which rely on heavy water as a moderator.

Israel’s military later clarified that the Yazd plant processes raw materials for uranium enrichment, calling the strike a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program. In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of impending retaliation, with commander Seyed Majid Moosavi urging U.S. and Israeli-linked employees to leave their workplaces.

“This time, the equation will no longer be ‘an eye for an eye,’ just wait,” Moosavi added on X. Despite the tension, the IAEA reiterated its call for “restraint” after the strikes, noting “no increase in off-site radiation levels” and reaffirming the need to prevent nuclear accidents.

Meanwhile, diplomats from countries such as Pakistan and Turkey have sought to arrange a direct dialogue between U.S. and Iranian representatives. At the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in France, leaders demanded an immediate halt to attacks on civilian populations and infrastructure.

U.S. military forces, including 2,500 Marines and 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne, have been deployed to the Middle East. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted during the meeting that most U.S. goals in Iran are “ahead of schedule,” and that “we can achieve them without ground troops.”