Analysts warn global famine fears are rising as food prices climb and fragile supply chains strain amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis, raising the risk of a prolonged, Suez-scale, eight-year disruption.

As the conflict entered Day 62, the U.S. maintained its naval blockade of traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, while Iran continued to effectively close the Strait.

“Best case, there is an agreement between the U.S. and Iran within the next few weeks, and the Strait reopens,” Lars Jensen, CEO and partner at Vespucci Maritime, told Fox News Digital.

 “— and it has to be a deal where there is trust that Iran is sufficiently satisfied with the deal such that they do not suddenly close the strait again,” he said.

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 “Even in that case, it will still take months for the supply chains to revert back to normality.”

President Donald Trump announced on April 21 that he would delay renewed strikes on Iran until it presents a proposal for long-term peace, effectively extending a 14-day ceasefire indefinitely. 

Trump said Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports has been effective, urging Tehran to “just give up” as tensions escalate over the waterway.

“Worst case, we can look at the eight-year closure of the Suez Canal from 1967 to 1975,” Jensen said.

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“Despite its importance to the global economy, it proved impossible to reopen the canal for these eight years,” he said.

The Suez Canal, shut from 1967 to 1975 after the Arab-Israeli conflict, has faced recurring disruption including Red Sea attacks since 2023—driving up insurance costs, creating a “shadow blockade,” and curbing traffic.

For Hormuz, Jensen says fertilizer—central to agricultural production—is the most critical factor, and any sustained disruption could quickly ripple through global food systems.

“Fertilizer is the most important element. Thirty percent of the world’s seaborne fertilizer comes from the Persian Gulf,” Jensen said. “Fertilizer prices are already rising fast,” he warned.

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 “In wealthy countries, it means more expensive food come harvest season, and in poor countries, it means that farmers right now cannot afford fertilizer,” Jensen added.

 “This will lead to the harvest being lower later in the season, leading to rapid increases in food prices in very poor countries — and such a situation increases the risk of famine and conflict.”

Diplomatic efforts remain fragile between the U.S. and Iran as of Thursday, with limited signs of progress.

According to reports, a giant banner hangs on a building in Tehran’s central Enqelab Square declaring, “The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; the entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground.”

“Cargo vessels are not going through for the simple reason that commercial companies do not want to see their seafarers potentially killed,” Jensen added.

Frustration boiled over in Game 6 of the New York Knicks-Atlanta Hawks series amid a shocking 50-point Knicks lead in the first half.

Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson and Hawks guard Dyson Daniels were both ejected after receiving double technical fouls after inciting a scrum that led to a referee hitting the court hard in the second quarter.

At the time, the Knicks were up a whopping 72-22 when free throws were being taken by New York. As OG Anunoby hit his and-one opportunity, Robinson and Daniels were seen face-to-face, leading to an embrace that turned aggressive.

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One official was trying to break up the skirmish, but lost his footing and hit the hardwood. Meanwhile, Robinson was trying to go back at Daniels, and both Hawks and Knicks players were trying to hold others back in the exchange.

Robinson and Daniels continued jawing at each other, repeatedly trying to get face-to-face as coaches and officials worked to calm them down.

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Once Robinson and Daniels got back to their respective benches, both players were ejected after further review.

Replay showed that Daniels threw an elbow into Robinson’s chest while Anunoby was taking the free throw, and the Knicks center reacted accordingly. Ultimately, it led to an early exit for both players.

The Knicks went into this game on the road in Atlanta with a chance to move on to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, but perhaps even they didn’t expect what occurred in the first half.

When the buzzer rang out at the end of the second quarter, the Knicks were up 83-36 going into the locker room. Though there are two quarters left to play, it’s not looking good for the Hawks, who were shooting a lackluster 31% from the field, while committing 14 turnovers.

Meanwhile, the Knicks couldn’t stop hitting their shots, especially Anunoby, who had more points than the Hawks did as a team at a time in the first half. He ended the half with 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting, while hauling in seven rebounds and two assists. He also tallied four steals for New York.

Mikal Bridges (16 points) and Jalen Brunson (13 points) also added to the high Knicks total, while Karl-Anthony Towns hit all 10 of his free throw attempts in the first half.

Things are looking bleak for the Hawks when the third quarter begins, and perhaps even more tempers will flare if the game remains entirely out of reach for Atlanta.

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The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Thursday against New Jersey, challenging state laws that allow illegal aliens to receive in-state tuition and financial aid, arguing the policies discriminate against U.S. citizens.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, targets the state, several higher education agencies and officials, and is seeking to block enforcement of laws that provide reduced tuition rates and financial assistance to students regardless of their immigration status.

DOJ officials argue the policies violate federal law by offering benefits to illegal immigrants that are not equally available to all U.S. citizens.

“This is a simple matter of federal law: In New Jersey and nationwide, colleges cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate said. “This Department of Justice will not tolerate American students being treated like second-class citizens in their own country.”

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Under current New Jersey law, students who meet residency requirements can qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges regardless of whether they are in the U.S. legally. The state also allows certain illegal immigrant students to access financial aid and scholarships.

Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said the policies unfairly put American students at a disadvantage.

“Imagine being denied the opportunity of education in your own country,” Woodward said. “By granting illegal aliens in-state tuition, the state of New Jersey is doing just that.”

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The lawsuit is the latest in a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to challenge state policies that provide benefits to illegal immigrants.

According to the DOJ, it marks the ninth such legal action filed as part of that initiative.

Similar lawsuits in Texas, Kentucky and Oklahoma have resulted in rulings that blocked comparable laws, while additional cases are pending in states including Illinois, Minnesota and California.

NEBRASKA ENDS IN-STATE TUITION BENEFITS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS UNDER DOJ DEAL

Supporters of the policy have argued that in-state tuition eligibility is based on residency, not immigration status, and is intended to expand access to higher education for students who have lived in the state for years.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Democrat New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill‘s office for comment on the matter.

The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.