Al Jazeera's Counting the Cost program has posed the question: could a military conflict with Iran trigger a global hunger crisis? The question arises amid escalating tensions between Iran and Western powers, particularly the United States and Israel.
The analysis notes that Iran occupies a strategically vital position for global food security. It sits on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil and liquid fuels transit. Any disruption there—whether from war or blockade—could send food and energy prices soaring.
Experts say a war with Iran would not only affect oil supplies but also directly impact agricultural supply chains. Many nations in Africa and Asia depend on grain imports from the Black Sea region and Ukraine. If conflict disrupts shipping routes across the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, millions could face severe food shortages.
Moreover, Iran itself is a major producer and exporter of agricultural goods, including wheat, rice, and fruits. War would destroy farming infrastructure, reduce domestic output, and force Tehran to tighten exports, adding further pressure on global markets.
The program stresses that modern armed conflicts are not just military matters but long-lasting humanitarian disasters. With the world already grappling with climate change and food inflation, a war with Iran could be the 'last straw,' pushing hundreds of millions into extreme poverty and hunger.
