The intensifying standoff over the Strait of Hormuz has revived the push to open a safe shipping route for fertilizer and other goods to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

Rising input costs tied to the conflict in the Middle East are adding strain to an already challenging farm economy, said the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Takaichi announced the initiative at a regional forum that included Japan and major Southeast Asian economies such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.

India is among the economies most exposed to the war in the Middle East, importing about 90% of its crude oil and more than half of its liquefied petroleum gas.

U.S. Centcom added more confusion by sending a note to seafarers saying the blockade would only be enforced in waters east of the strait of Hormuz.

If Trump orders the Navy to blockade the strait itself, he puts U.S. assets in danger of Iranian missiles.

European allies are pushing to limit any financial benefit to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Asian nations are grappling with energy shortages from the war with Iran.

The mechanism by which ship operators get permission from Iran to transit the strait remain unclear, over questions as to who is actually in charge.

If Singapore doesn't pick up the pen and start drawing itself back into the narrative, we’ll find ourselves relegated to the footnotes of maritime history.

The protests, now in their third day, are against high fuel prices caused by the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.