Analysts warn global famine fears are rising as food prices climb and fragile supply chains are strained during the Strait of Hormuz crisis, raising the risk of a prolonged, Suez-scale, eight-year disruption.

As the conflict entered Day 62, the U.S. maintained its naval blockade of traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, while Iran continued to effectively close the Strait.

“Best case, there is an agreement between the U.S. and Iran within the next few weeks, and the Strait reopens,” Lars Jensen, CEO and partner at Vespucci Maritime, told Fox News Digital.

“And it has to be a deal where there is trust that Iran is sufficiently satisfied with the deal such that they do not suddenly close the strait again.

AIRLINES MAY CUT FLIGHT SCHEDULES AS IRAN TENSIONS DRIVE UP FUEL COSTS, EXPERTS WARN

“Even in that case, it will still take months for the supply chains to revert back to normality.”

President Donald Trump announced April 21 he would delay renewed strikes on Iran until it presents a proposal for long-term peace, effectively extending a 14-day ceasefire indefinitely. 

Trump said Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports has been effective, urging Tehran to “just give up” as tensions escalate over the waterway.

“Worst case, we can look at the eight-year closure of the Suez Canal from 1967 to 1975,” Jensen said.

ISRAELI OFFICIALS REPORTEDLY WARN IRAN’S BALLISTIC MISSILES COULD TRIGGER SOLO MILITARY ACTION AGAINST TEHRAN

“Despite its importance to the global economy, it proved impossible to reopen the canal for those eight years,” he said.

The Suez Canal, shut from 1967 to 1975 after the Arab-Israeli conflict, has faced recurring disruption, including Red Sea attacks since 2023, driving up insurance costs, creating a “shadow blockade” and curbing traffic.

For Hormuz, Jensen says fertilizer, which is central to agricultural production, is the most critical factor, and any sustained disruption could quickly ripple through global food systems.

“Fertilizer is the most important element. Thirty percent of the world’s seaborne fertilizer comes from the Persian Gulf,” Jensen said. “Fertilizer prices are already rising fast,” he warned.

IRAN FIRES LIVE MISSILES INTO STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS TRUMP ENVOYS ARRIVE FOR NUCLEAR TALKS

“In wealthy countries, it means more expensive food come harvest season, and, in poor countries, it means that farmers right now cannot afford fertilizer,” Jensen added.

“This will lead to the harvest being lower later in the season, leading to rapid increases in food prices in very poor countries. And such a situation increases the risk of famine and conflict.”

Diplomatic efforts remained fragile between the U.S. and Iran as of Thursday, with limited signs of progress.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

According to reports, a giant banner hangs on a building in Tehran’s central Enqelab Square declaring, “The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; the entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground.”

“Cargo vessels are not going through for the simple reason that commercial companies do not want to see their seafarers potentially killed,” Jensen added.

Olivia Rodrigo has announced dates for “The Unraveled Tour,” a huge 65-date run across North America, Europe, and the UK. The tour supports her third studio album, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” out June 12, 2026 via Geffen Records.

Promoted by Live Nation, the global tour kicks off Friday, September 25 in Hartford, CT at PeoplesBank Arena and features multi-night plays in cities around the world including Washington, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Vancouver, Oakland, Las Vegas, Stockholm, Paris, Milan, and more.

Opening acts include Devon Again, Die Spitz, Grace Ives, The Last Dinner Party, and Wolf Alice will join Olivia on select dates. Full dates appear below.

Rodrigo is set to appear on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” tonight (April 30), and will make her hosting debut with double duty on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend on May 2.

American Express is partnering with Olivia Rodrigo for the tour. Eligible American Express Card Members will have access to Amex Presale Tickets for the North America, Europe and UK dates starting Tuesday, May 5 at 12pm local time through Wednesday, May 6 at 10pm local time, while supplies last. Presale dates and times vary by show.

NORTH AMERICA TICKETS: The general onsale will begin Thursday, May 7 at 12pm local time.

EUROPE TICKETS: For Europe dates, fans can also register for presale access by pre-ordering the new album by signing up — no purchase necessary. Those already preordered will automatically receive a code. The general onsale begins Thursday, May 7 at 12pm local time.

UK TICKETS: For UK dates, tickets will first be available via an O2 presale beginning Tuesday, May 5 at 10am local time. Fans can also register for presale access by pre-ordering the new album or by signing up — no purchase necessary. Those who already preordered will automatically receive a code. The general onsale begins Thursday, May 7 at 12pm local time.

VIP: The Unraveled Tour will also offer VIP packages and experiences.

SILVER STAR TICKETS: Olivia Rodrigo will once again offer Silver Star Tickets on her upcoming tour, with a limited number of $20 USD tickets (or local currency equivalent, plus taxes where applicable) available at a later date. Originally introduced during the “Guts” world tour, the program is designed to make attending shows more accessible and affordable for fans. Tickets must be purchased in pairs, with a maximum of two per order. Seats will be assigned together, with locations revealed on the day of show at venue box office pickup. Ticket locations may include limited view, lower and upper levels, as well as floor seating.

OLIVIA RODRIGO’S FUND 4 GOOD: Fund 4 Good is a global initiative that supports community-based nonprofits to build an equitable and just future for all women and girls. Past donations supported organizations championing girls’ education, reproductive rights, and the prevention of gender-based violence. A portion of Olivia’s proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the fund.

THE UNRAVELED TOUR 2026/2027 DATES:

Fri, Sep 25—Hartford, CT—PeoplesBank Arena+

Sat, Sep 26—Hartford, CT—PeoplesBank Arena+

Tue, Sep 29—Pittsburgh, PA—PPG Paints Arena+

Wed, Sep 30—Pittsburgh, PA—PPG Paints Arena+

Sat, Oct 3—Washington, DC—Capital One Arena+

Sun, Oct 4—Washington, DC—Capital One Arena+

Wed, Oct 7—Charlotte, NC—Spectrum Center+

Thu, Oct 8—Charlotte, NC—Spectrum Center+

Sun, Oct 11—Chicago, IL—United Center+

Mon, Oct 12—Chicago, IL—United Center+

Thu, Oct 15—Boston, MA—TD Garden+

Sat, Oct 17—Boston, MA—TD Garden+

Wed, Oct 21—Montreal, QC—Bell Centre+

Thu, Oct 22—Montreal, QC—Bell Centre+

Mon, Oct 26—Toronto, ON—Scotiabank Arena+

Tue, Oct 27—Toronto, ON—Scotiabank Arena+

Thu, Oct 29—Columbus, OH—Schottenstein Center+

Fri, Oct 30—Columbus, OH—Schottenstein Center+

Sat, Nov 7—Philadelphia, PA—Xfinity Mobile Arena^

Sun, Nov 8—Philadelphia, PA—Xfinity Mobile Arena^

Wed, Nov 11—Atlanta, GA—State Farm Arena^

Thu, Nov 12—Atlanta, GA—State Farm Arena^

Sun, Nov 15—Orlando, FL—Kia Center^

Mon, Nov 16—Orlando, FL—Kia Center^

Thu, Nov 19—Sunrise, FL—Amerant Bank Arena^

Fri, Nov 20—Sunrise, FL—Amerant Bank Arena^

Mon, Nov 23—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena^

Tue, Nov 24—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena^

Tue, Dec 1—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena^

Wed, Dec 2—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena^

Mon, Dec 7—Seattle, WA—Climate Pledge Arena^

Tue, Dec 8—Seattle, WA—Climate Pledge Arena^

Fri, Dec 11—Oakland, CA—Oakland Arena^

Sat, Dec 12—Oakland, CA—Oakland Arena^

Tue, Dec 15—Sacramento, CA—Golden 1 Center^

Wed, Dec 16—Sacramento, CA—Golden 1 Center^

Sat, Dec 19—Las Vegas, NV—T-Mobile Arena^

Sun, Dec 20—Las Vegas, NV—T-Mobile Arena^

Tue, Jan 12—Los Angeles, CA—Intuit Dome#^

Wed, Jan 13—Los Angeles, CA—Intuit Dome#^

Sat, Jan 16—Los Angeles, CA—Intuit Dome#^

Sun, Jan 17—Los Angeles, CA—Intuit Dome#^

Thu, Feb 11—Brooklyn, NY—Barclays Center#^

Fri, Feb 12—Brooklyn, NY—Barclays Center#^

Mon, Feb 15—Brooklyn, NY—Barclays Center#^

Tue, Feb 16—Brooklyn, NY—Barclays Center#^

Fri Mar 19—Stockholm, Sweden—Avicii Arena~

Sat Mar 20—Stockholm, Sweden—Avicii Arena~

Tue Mar 23—Amsterdam, Netherlands—Ziggo Dome~

Wed Mar 24—Amsterdam, Netherlands—Ziggo Dome~

Thu Apr 1—Munich, Germany—Olympiahalle~

Fri Apr 2—Munich, Germany—Olympiahalle~

Mon Apr 5—London, UK—The O2~

Tue Apr 6—London, UK—The O2~

Thu Apr 8—London, UK—The O2~

Fri Apr 9—London, UK—The O2~

Fri Apr 23—Paris, France—La Defense Arena=

Tue Apr 27—Milan, Italy—Unipol Dome=

Wed Apr 28—Milan, Italy—Unipol Dome=

Sat May 1—Barcelona, Spain—Palau Sant Jordi=

Sun May 2—Barcelona, Spain—Palau Sant Jordi=

Support:

+ Wolf Alice

^ Devon Again

# The Last Dinner Party

~ Grace Ives

= Die Spitz

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned China that “the sovereignty of our hemisphere is non-negotiable” after the U.S. and regional allies accused Beijing of detaining Panama-flagged ships in a dispute tied to canal port control.

In a joint statement with Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. said China’s actions targeting Panama-flagged vessels were a “blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade” and infringe on regional sovereignty, framing the dispute as a broader strategic test over control of one of the world’s most critical commercial arteries.

While the Panama dispute centers on shipping detentions rather than a physical blockade, critics increasingly view it alongside battles over other strategic choke points, such as the Strait of Hormuz, as part of a widening contest over whether Beijing or Washington will shape the rules governing global trade and energy corridors.

IRAN’S $800M OIL SMUGGLING SCHEME USES TANKERS POSING AS IRAQI SHIPS TO DODGE BLOCKADE

The confrontation follows Panama’s Supreme Court decision earlier in 2026 to invalidate the legal framework behind Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s long-held control of the Balboa and Cristobal terminals flanking the Panama Canal, a choke point that handles roughly 5% of global maritime trade. 

U.S. regulators have monitored nearly 70 Panama-flagged vessels detained by Chinese authorities since March 8, according to Reuters — a surge American officials say appears designed to retaliate against Panama and pressure global shipping.

“China has used Iran to destabilize the Middle East. In effect, Iran has been China’s proxy,” China expert Gordon Chang told Fox News Digital, arguing Beijing’s actions in Panama fit a broader global pattern in which China uses economic leverage, trade pressure and regional partners to expand influence while condemning similar tactics from Washington.

Chang said Beijing is now facing growing resistance as the U.S. increasingly moves not only against China directly, but also against governments and geopolitical flashpoints he argues have strengthened Beijing’s hand.

“Trump apparently decided that he would counter this sly tactic by taking China’s proxies — Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran — off the board,” Chang said.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS INTRODUCE BILL TO REPURCHASE PANAMA CANAL AFTER TRUMP RAISES CONCERNS OF CHINESE CONTROL

He also framed pressure on Iran and threats to the Strait of Hormuz as part of a larger strategic effort aimed at both Tehran and Beijing.

“Closing the Strait of Hormuz is a two-fer, starving Iran’s regime and shaking China’s already fragile economy,” Chang said. “Trump is using energy to reorder the world.”

Chang also accused Beijing of hypocrisy over trade.

“China’s Communists invented hypocrisy. Nobody does hypocrisy better than the Chinese Communists,” he said, arguing China long benefited from a global trading system it increasingly weaponized for geopolitical purposes.

“The elemental truth is that China started this cycle of action and retaliation,” Chang said. “If China had not threatened America, America would not have leaned on Panama. If America had not leaned on Panama, China would not have detained Panamanian vessels.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

China has rejected accusations that it is politicizing trade, with its foreign ministry arguing U.S. criticism reflects Washington’s own strategic ambitions around the canal.

China’s foreign ministry called the statement on Wednesday “entirely baseless and misleading”, said it would take steps to safeguard China’s interests in Panama, and accused the United States of politicizing ports, according to Reuters.

“China also urges the relevant countries not to be deceived or exploited by malevolent forces,” added Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesperson.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Reuters contributed to this article.