🔶 U.S. ambassador to the UN: Iran cannot hold the world economy hostage Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday, July 2 (11 Tir): “Iran cannot and we also should not allow it to take the world economy hostage.” He pointed out that Iran has prevented all ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, adding: “It didn’t matter whether the ship carried chemical fertilizer for African farmers, transported humanitarian aid for Sudan, or the fuel Japan needs; and it also didn’t matter whether those ships had any role in this confrontation or not.” Waltz also rejected Iran’s claim that its attacks were “only aimed at military targets, U.S. bases in the region, and Israel,” and said that, based on an assessment by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz would have long-term consequences for 61 developing economies. He added: “Many innocent people around the world have been affected by this action.”