Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has denounced a United States plan to impose a 20 percent transit fee on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz as "piracy", accusing Washington of provoking a conflict and then charging ships for the resulting security.
Speaking at a public event in São Paulo on July 13, Lula warned that the escalating tensions threaten to drive up the cost of staple foods and fuel in Brazil, including rice, beans, and cooking oil. His comments followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump that Washington would resume a naval blockade of Iranian ports and assume control of the strait, levying a levy on all cargo transiting the waterway.
The United States Central Command began enforcing the blockade at 14:00 Eastern time on July 14. Iran has responded by warning that it will not tolerate American interference in the strait and that regional cooperation with the blockade would be treated as a declaration of war.