New Delhi, Oct. 14 -- The United Nations says it can have fertiliser moving through the Strait of Hormuz within seven to 10 days of a yes from Washington and Tehran. It has been saying versions of that since March, and the planting season it is racing has not waited for an answer.

"let us do our job."

The plan is modest by design. A UN-staffed coordination centre in Oman would register vessels and oversee their safe passage, UN monitors would work with local authorities at Gulf ports to verify what is loaded, and ships would be tracked in transit, with extra inspections if either side raised concerns. About five vessels a day, Moreira da Silva said, could keep fertiliser flowing to the countries in critical need. It would run alongside,...