António Guterres Warns Strait of Hormuz Pressure Pushing Global Economy Toward Recession

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has warned that restrictions on vessel movements in the Strait of Hormuz are placing severe strain on the global economy, with far-reaching consequences for populations worldwide. In a post on X on Friday, May 1, he stated that these limitations have disrupted critical sectors including energy, transportation, and food production, heightening the risk of a global economic downturn. “All people are paying the price of this situation,” he noted. Guterres emphasized that even if the restrictions are lifted immediately, global supply chains will require significant time to recover, and economic growth will continue to slow. He further warned that if the situation persists until mid-year, millions could be pushed into poverty, while the number of people suffering from acute hunger is expected to rise. According to the UN chief, a continuation of the crisis through the end of the year could drive global inflation above six percent and reduce global economic growth to around two percent. He concluded by stressing that the world stands on the brink of a widespread recession, cautioning that the ongoing crisis could seriously undermine political, economic, and social stability across countries.