The United Nations said ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped by 95.3% since the outbreak of war on February 28.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric cited data from UNCTAD showing an unprecedented decline in maritime activity through the strategic waterway.

He added that restrictions have driven up global food prices by around 6% and pushed crude oil prices in Europe up by 53%.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that continued disruption could trigger a global food crisis, calling for the reopening of the strait to stabilize the world economy.