Iran Says It Will Facilitate Humanitarian Aid Through Strait of Hormuz After UN Request

TEHRAN, (AP) Mar 27: Iran has said it will “facilitate and expedite” the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Strait of Hormuz following a request linked to a new United Nations initiative aimed at easing the flow of essential supplies amid regional conflict.

Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, said on Friday that Tehran has agreed to a request from the UN to allow the safe passage of critical humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments through a key maritime corridor. In a post on X, Bahreini said the move reflects Iran’s “continued commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts” and ensuring that essential supplies reach those in need without delay. The announcement came just hours after the United Nations said it was setting up a task force aimed at addressing disruptions to aid flows caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran and its wider regional impact.

According to the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres has been in contact with Iran’s foreign minister and the U.S. ambassador regarding the creation of a task force designed to ensure the uninterrupted passage of food, fertilizer, and humanitarian aid through the strategic waterway.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres has also held discussions with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Pakistan, as well as Bahrain’s UN ambassador. However, he has not yet spoken with any Israeli official on the matter.

Dujarric described Iran’s cooperation as “pretty critical,” adding that the secretary-general is expected to speak with Iran’s UN ambassador later on Friday as diplomatic engagement continues.

He noted that the UN has prior experience overseeing and verifying cargo movements in conflict zones, including arrangements in the Black Sea during the Ukraine conflict, as well as operations in Yemen and Gaza.

“We hope that all member states involved will support this initiative,” Dujarric said, emphasizing that the effort is focused strictly on humanitarian needs, including the delivery of food and fertilizer, rather than oil shipments.

The UN said the proposed mechanism is intended to help mitigate the humanitarian impact of ongoing tensions in the region and ensure aid reaches affected populations.