Iran agrees to allow humanitarian aid and agriculture shipments through Hormuz — UN request accepted

Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva Ali Bahreini announced on 27 March 2026 that Tehran has agreed to a UN request to allow safe passage of humanitarian aid and agriculture shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. 'Iran has agreed to facilitate and expedite humanitarian aid through the Strait of Hormuz,' Bahreini wrote on X. 'This measure reflects Iran's continued commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts and ensuring that essential aid reaches those in need without delay.' The UN had earlier announced a task force to address the ripple effects of the Iran war on humanitarian aid passage. The announcement comes hours after the IRGC formally declared Hormuz 'closed' to shipping from ports of US/Israeli allies. Iran is effectively creating a two-track system: closed to commercial/military shipping from allied ports but open to UN-sanctioned humanitarian and agricultural cargo. This represents a diplomatic concession that partially addresses G7 calls for Hormuz freedom of navigation.