Not just energy: How the Iran war could trigger a global food crisis
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Iran war could trigger global food crisis by disrupting fertilizer supplies, raising crop prices worldwide.
How This Affects You
Fertilizer shortages could drive up prices for staple crops across multiple continents, raising grocery costs for American consumers dependent on international food markets.
AI Summary
A potential conflict involving Iran threatens to disrupt global fertilizer supplies, creating risks for food production worldwide. Iran is a major producer of ammonia and other fertilizers essential to agriculture, and any war-related disruption to exports or production could create acute shortages in the international market. Such a shortage would drive up fertilizer costs and reduce crop yields in countries dependent on imports, particularly in developing nations with limited reserves. The fertilizer crisis would compound existing food security concerns and potentially trigger price spikes for staple crops across multiple continents. The scenario underscores how regional military conflicts increasingly have cascading effects on global supply chains and food systems beyond the immediate conflict zone.
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Iran war has U.S. farmers worried about the cost and availability of fertilizer
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Iran & Middle East Conflict
Tracking the evolving military and diplomatic situation across the Middle East, including US-Iran tensions, Israeli operations, proxy conflicts, and the broader geopolitical implications for the region.
Climate & Environment
Monitoring climate change developments, extreme weather events, environmental policy shifts, energy transition progress, and the scientific, economic, and political dimensions of the environmental crisis.
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First Thing: Trump says US does not need Nato after strait of Hormuz rebuf | Clea Skopeliti
<p>Snub comes as Iran vows revenge for killing of Ali Larijani. Plus, judge orders reinstatement of Voice of America staff</p><p>Good morning.</p><p>Donald Trump has said the US does not need Nato after a number of the organization’s members <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/17/trump-us-president-nato-strait-of-hormuz-iran-middle-east">rejected his call to send their warships</a> to reopen the strait of Hormuz.</p><p><strong>How many people have been displaced in Iran?</strong> Up to 3.2 million people, according to the UN’s refugee agency. Here, Tehran residents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/18/iranians-daily-life-under-air-attack">speak about their daily life</a> under bombardment.</p><p><strong>For the latest updates,</strong> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/18/iran-war-live-updates-oil-prices-hormuz-trump-larijani-key-leader-killed-israel-strikes">follow our liveblog.</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us...
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