Nunn: Conflict over Strait of Hormuz could lead to ‘mass famine’

“It’s about being able to do what we’ve always done in the military, what each of us do for our families: come up with a plan, work hard, deliver,” Nunn said. 

When asked by reporters after his soapbox speech about the nation’s current conflict with Iran, Nunn said he, “never want(s) to see Iran with a nuclear weapon.” Nunn said strategies like the White House’s maximum pressure campaign and his own Preventing the Escalation of Armed Conflict in Europe, or PEACE Act, are “logical solutions” to some of the “really hard problems” in the conflict.

“I never want to see the number one sponsor of terrorism being able to threaten the United States or take more U.S. lives, including our own soldiers,” Nunn said. “And I never want to see Iran trying to threaten the rest of the world by what they’re doing in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Nunn said “walking away” from the conflict, as he alleged Democrats have suggested, is “not a solution” to the conflict.

Nunn said he has spoken with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — who was recently in Iowa — about setting up a “humanitarian corridor” to bring fertilizer inputs through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains inaccessible due to ongoing conflicts with Iran. He noted there would be a “mass famine situation” if a solution isn’t reached to export the farm input. 

“Let’s put pressure where pressure needs to be put on the people who would starve half the planet,” Nunn said, pointing to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 

He said the U.S. also needs to become more energy and fertilizer “independent” to tackle these issues. 

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Nunn’s soapbox speech focused largely on his efforts and accomplishments while in office; he is running for reelection against Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott.

A person in the gathered crowd yelled at Nunn to support the release of the “Epstein files,” investigative files about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The jeer was quickly overwhelmed with a “U.S.A.” chant from Nunn’s supporters crowding the stage near the fair’s Grand Concourse. 

Nunn said “I agree with you, brother” and noted that he voted in favor of releasing the files. 

The congressman was joined by his wife and several of his children, whom Nunn said had competed in some of the state fair agriculture events, including showing sheep, goats and a ram. 

Nunn said he has worked to support families, by pushing for things like adoption and foster care tax credits and policies to support in-vitro fertilization. 

What we grow 

Nunn said he has stood up for “what we grow here” and mentioned the ongoing legislative effort to pass year-round, nationwide E15, a fuel blend with a higher percentage of ethanol. Iowa’s entire congressional delegation has been supportive of the issue which the industry argues would drive new demand for corn.

Nunn said that despite D.C.’s persistent response to “wait” on passing the measure, “we fought back” and passed a House bill that would allow the year round sale of the fuel. 

While the House passed its version of a farm bill, the Senate Agriculture Committee has not advanced its version of the bill, which included a provision for E15. 

Nunn was also joined Monday by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Iowa State Fair.

Nunn also spoke about blocking members of Congress and their families from owning or trading individual stocks. He said this is an issue he and his opponent agree on. Nunn led efforts to try and force a vote on the issue in the House. 

“Here’s the reality: when Washington spends more time making themselves rich, they spend less time taking care of the country,” Nunn said. 

Trone Garriott spoke at the Soapbox Friday and criticized Nunn’s actions to hold China accountable. 

The Des Moines Register Political Soapbox continues through the rest of the Iowa State Fair, the full schedule can be found online.

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