Italy proposes Hormuz corridor amid growing food crisis concerns

Italy, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates is pushing for a plan to carve out a humanitarian corridor through to keep critical goods moving despite Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Report informs via Euractiv.

Antonio Tajani, Italy's foreign minister, said he was ready to work with the UN to establish a "humanitarian corridor" as soon as possible, "primarily for fertilisers and any other supplies needed to prevent a new food crisis, particularly in African nations," a statement by the Italian foreign ministry reads.

The idea was floated during the online high-level meeting of foreign ministers from some 40 countries on the situation in Iran and the consequences of the Strait of Hormuz blockade, coordinated by Britain following the 19 March declaration signed by 35 countries on reopening the strait.

Italy has also expressed the country's willingness to join multilateral initiatives to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait – but only with a clear United Nations mandate in place.