El Niño and Iran Conflict Threaten Global Food Security with Rising Costs
A potential 'super El Niño' event, combined with ongoing conflict in Iran, is raising concerns about global food security. Climate scientists predict a strong El Niño could develop later this year, with U.S. meteorologists estimating a one-in-three chance of a significant weather event forming between October and December. European climate models suggest an even higher probability of a very strong El Niño. This natural phenomenon, characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific, could exacerbate existing food supply issues. The Iran conflict has already strained the supply of crucial fertilizer products, further impacting food production. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the number of food-insecure people worldwide could rise significantly if the conflict persists and oil prices remain high. 
