Since the onset of the Iran conflict, the Middle East has seen a 55-60% reduction in urea production, a crucial nitrogen fertilizer. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has left 44 vessels stranded, exacerbating global food inflation concerns. Urea is vital for growing staple crops such as corn, wheat, and rice, and its scarcity threatens food security worldwide. Analyst Pranshi Goyal from CRU Group warns that if the situation persists, producers may be forced to halt operations due to storage limitations. Iran has indicated a willingness to negotiate a temporary reopening of the strait in exchange for the easing of U.S. sanctions, but the complex nature of these discussions remains a hurdle. Currently, only 11 ships carrying fertilizer have managed to transit the strait since the conflict began, with many more unable to move. The ongoing disruptions are expected to have long-lasting effects on the market, even if shipping routes are restored.