Humanitarian groups said the conflict has forced them to reroute shipments through longer and more expensive pathways, with transport costs rising sharply due to increased fuel prices and insurance premiums.

The disruption has compounded existing financial strain following reductions in U.S. foreign aid.The World Food Programme said tens of thousands of metric tons of food are currently delayed in transit.

The International Rescue Committee reported that pharmaceuticals intended for Sudan are stranded in Dubai, while hundreds of boxes of therapeutic food meant for malnourished children in Somalia remain stuck in India.

The United Nations Population Fund said it has also delayed shipments of medical equipment to 16 countries, underscoring the scale of the disruption.The United Nations described the situation as the most significant supply chain shock since the COVID-19 pandemic, with costs increasing by up to 20% as shipments are rerouted and delayed.

Aid agencies are increasingly relying on a combination of land, air and sea transport to bypass affected routes. UNICEF said it has shifted vaccine deliveries to Iran via Turkiye by air and road, adding about 10 days to delivery times and increasing costs by roughly 20%.

Save the Children said it has altered supply routes to Sudan, including overland transport through Saudi Arabia and barge crossings of the Red Sea, increasing delivery times by about 10 days and costs by approximately 25%.

The delays risk disrupting supplies to more than 90 primary health care facilities in Sudan.The Doctors Without Borders said rising fuel prices in Somalia have increased transport and food costs, limiting access to care for populations already facing severe food insecurity.Aid groups warned that the impact on global hunger could worsen significantly.

The World Food Programme said that if the conflict continues through June, an additional 45 million people could face acute hunger, adding to nearly 320 million already affected worldwide.The disruption also threatens agricultural production, with around 30% of global fertilizer supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Countries such as Sudan and Kenya rely heavily on imports from the Gulf, raising concerns about planting seasons in regions including East Africa and South Asia.

The United Nations said it has established a task force to facilitate fertilizer trade, but aid agencies cautioned that without a ceasefire and increased funding, humanitarian operations may struggle to meet rising needs.

The United States said it remains a leading contributor to global humanitarian assistance and announced an additional $50 million in emergency aid to Lebanon, including support for the World Food Programme, as it works with international partners to address the growing crisis.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate calls with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the ministry said in a statement, focusing on proposals aimed at reducing hostilities across the region.

The discussions come amid intensified diplomatic engagement by regional actors seeking to contain the conflict, which has disrupted energy flows and heightened geopolitical risks.

Turkiye and Pakistan have also taken on intermediary roles, with Islamabad recently hosting talks on de-escalation measures and proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas shipments.

Egypt’s outreach reflects growing concern among regional powers over the potential for further escalation and the economic impact of prolonged disruptions, particularly on energy markets and trade routes.

Iran’s central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi describing Trump’s warning as destabilizing and vowing retaliation. “The gates of hell will open for you,” he said, echoing the language used by the U.S. president in recent statements.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi said multiple fires broke out at the Borouge Petrochemicals facility in Ruwais after debris from intercepted projectiles struck the site. Operations at the plant, a joint venture involving Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., were suspended pending damage assessment, with no injuries reported.

The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defence systems were actively engaging missile and drone threats, without specifying their origin. In Bahrain, Bapco Energies reported that a storage tank caught fire following an attack, though the blaze was later contained and no casualties were recorded.

In Kuwait, a fire erupted at the Shuwaikh oil sector complex, which houses key energy infrastructure including the headquarters of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. State media reported material damage and the shutdown of two power and water units, with no casualties.

The Israeli military said missiles launched from Iran targeted its territory, while also reporting a separate missile fired from Yemen, marking the fifth such launch since the start of the conflict. Air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming threats.

The escalation underscores the widening scope of a conflict that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28 and has since spread across the region. Iran has maintained restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route, while targeting economic infrastructure in Gulf states it associates with the U.S.-Israeli campaign.

Trump reiterated his ultimatum in a post on Truth Social, warning that time was running out for Iran to comply. He also released a video referencing strikes in Tehran that he said killed multiple Iranian military leaders, though he did not provide details on timing or verification.

Separately, Iranian media reported that U.S.-Israeli strikes in Ardabil province in the country’s northwest killed three people and wounded three others, citing a local official.

Iran’s military command said Iraqi vessels would be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz despite broader restrictions, describing Iraq as exempt from measures imposed on what it termed “enemy countries.”

The rescued officer was the second member of a two-person crew aboard an F-15 aircraft that Iran said it had shot down using its air defense systems. U.S. officials did not provide operational details of the recovery mission, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump confirmed the recovery in a post on his Truth Social platform, describing the operation as one of the most complex search-and-rescue efforts conducted by U.S. forces in hostile territory. He said the airman, a senior officer, had been injured but was in stable condition and under monitoring.

“This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in enemy territory,” Trump wrote, adding that the operation was carried out without U.S. casualties.The first crew member had already been recovered earlier, according to a Reuters report on Friday.

The aircraft was brought down amid ongoing hostilities between U.S. and Iranian forces following the outbreak of war on February 28.The developments come as Washington escalates its demands on Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that typically handles around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Iran’s effective closure of the waterway has contributed to a growing energy crisis and heightened volatility in global markets.Trump reiterated that Iran faces a narrowing window to comply, stating that less than 48 hours remained before potential U.S. action.

His recent messaging has alternated between references to possible diplomatic progress and explicit threats of large-scale military strikes, including against Iran’s power infrastructure.The conflict has already resulted in thousands of deaths and significant disruption across the region, with mounting concerns over long-term economic damage and supply chain instability linked to restricted energy flows through the Gulf.

Iran has not publicly commented on the rescue operation but has previously stated that it deployed newly developed air defense systems in targeting U.S. aircraft operating in its airspace.

Speaking at the National Republican Congressional Committee fundraising dinner in Washington, Trump sought to rally party members, acknowledging historical trends in which incumbent presidents typically lose seats but insisting Republicans would defy expectations.

“We’ll have bigger majorities in the House and Senate than we do today”. The remarks came as Democrats scored a symbolic victory in Florida, where Emily Gregory flipped a state legislative district that includes Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, underscoring shifting political dynamics in a traditionally Republican stronghold.

House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated the party’s fortunes were closely tied to Trump’s leadership, presenting him with what he called the first “America First award” at the event.

The ongoing conflict with Iran has contributed to rising fuel prices and broader cost-of-living concerns, complicating the political landscape for Republicans. Gasoline prices have climbed to an average of $3.98 per gallon, up from under $3 before the conflict began, according to AAA.

Polling data from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 59% of Americans believe U.S. military action against Iran has gone too far, while 45% report significant concern about affording fuel in the coming months.

Economic pressures extend beyond energy, with inflation expected to rise alongside higher borrowing costs and a weakening labor market. Employers cut 92,000 jobs last month, adding to voter unease over economic stability.

Some Republicans have voiced concerns about the administration’s communication and long-term strategy in Iran. Senator Lisa Murkowski said constituents were seeking clarity on the conflict and potential troop deployments, describing current messaging as insufficient.

Others urged patience, arguing that the political impact would depend on whether the administration achieves its strategic objectives, including curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and restoring stability to global energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump downplayed economic concerns as temporary, linking short-term disruptions to broader national security goals. He maintained that the military action was necessary despite its economic impact, framing it as a decisive move against Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

The political outlook for Republicans remains closely tied to developments in the conflict and their economic consequences in the months leading up to the elections.

Speaking at UN headquarters, Guterres said the conflict had exceeded even worst-case expectations, warning of a potential global catastrophe if fighting continues.

He reiterated that diplomacy and adherence to international law remain the only viable path to de-escalation.

Guterres urged Tehran to stop strikes against regional states, noting that the United Nations Security Council has already condemned such actions and demanded their cessation. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding navigation rights in critical waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz.

He called on Washington and Israel to bring the war to an end, citing rising civilian casualties and intensifying humanitarian and economic consequences. “This has gone too far,” he said, warning against further escalation.

The UN chief said the prolonged disruption of maritime routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, is constraining the flow of oil, gas and fertilizers at a crucial time for global agriculture, amplifying economic shocks and threatening food security.

He warned that the conflict’s repercussions are disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, with humanitarian operations under increasing strain as violence spreads across multiple fronts.

Referring to his recent visit to Lebanon, Guterres cautioned against further deterioration there, calling on Hezbollah to halt attacks into Israel and urging Israel to stop strikes in Lebanese territory.

He warned that the humanitarian crisis seen in Gaza must not be repeated in Lebanon.Guterres said he remains engaged with regional and international stakeholders and announced the appointment of Jean Arnault as his personal envoy to coordinate diplomatic efforts related to the conflict and its broader consequences.

He emphasized that ending the war remains the most effective way to mitigate global disruption, reiterating that “peace is the way out.”