Council on Foreign Relations. Expert Take
The article The Easy Win That Could Help Unlock the Strait of Hormuz by Sam Vigersky argues that establishing a humanitarian corridor Strait of Hormuz could provide an immediate and achievable diplomatic solution amid escalating tensions.
Importantly, the humanitarian corridor Strait of Hormuz is presented as a practical step to restore aid flows, address urgent humanitarian needs, and build trust between negotiating parties, particularly the United States and Iran.
The crisis and the need for a humanitarian corridor Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz has become a critical bottleneck following conflict and a U.S.-imposed blockade, significantly restricting maritime traffic. As a result, humanitarian and commercial flows have been severely disrupted.
Moreover, a failed UN Security Council vote—vetoed by China and Russia—demonstrates the difficulty of achieving broader political agreements. Consequently, aid shipments remain stranded, including medicines, food supplies, and essential goods destined for multiple regions.
In particular, the article highlights that millions of people are now at risk, with large quantities of food and medical supplies unable to reach vulnerable populations.
Lessons from past humanitarian corridors
Historically, humanitarian corridors have been easier to negotiate than broader commercial or political agreements. For example, conflicts such as Syria and Ukraine show that even in highly polarized environments, parties often agree to allow humanitarian access.
In addition, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by António Guterres, enabled the export of millions of tons of food during wartime, helping stabilize global markets.
Therefore, the author argues that a similar approach could be applied to the humanitarian corridor Strait of Hormuz, offering a focused and achievable starting point for negotiations.
Policy challenges and implementation gaps
Despite its feasibility, the United Nations has not prioritized a dedicated humanitarian track. Instead, negotiations have focused on broader and more complex issues, which has contributed to stalled talks.
Furthermore, a key limitation is the absence of a clear technical framework defining how a corridor would operate. This includes determining eligible shipments, routes, participating actors, and security arrangements.
At the same time, institutional challenges persist. Notably, the lack of leadership from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs limits coordination capacity, despite its mandate and experience.
Conclusion
Overall, the article concludes that establishing a humanitarian corridor Strait of Hormuz represents a realistic and urgent opportunity.
By focusing on a limited and achievable objective, the United Nations could unlock stalled aid flows and reduce human suffering. Ultimately, this approach could also create momentum for broader diplomatic progress.
Reference
Vigersky, S. (2026). The easy win that could help unlock the Strait of Hormuz. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-easy-win-that-could-help-unlock-the-strait-of-hormuz