Saudi Arabia has called on the international community to do more to protect key waterways in the Middle East, warning that attempts to disrupt shipping routes could threaten global energy security.&nbsp;Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan made the remarks at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. He called for international action against attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia on Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping.&nbsp;He also urged countries to protect navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandab Strait, which are important routes for oil and gas exports.<h3>Saudi Arabia calls for free navigation</h3>"The international community has been absent from assuming its responsibilities in confronting all that threatens international peace and security," bin Farhan told the UN General Assembly.&nbsp;He stressed the need to protect freedom of navigation across major international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.&nbsp;"The kingdom stresses the importance of guaranteeing the protection of freedom of navigation in all international waterways, foremost among them the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden," he said.&nbsp;Bin Farhan also called for the Strait of Hormuz to return to its pre-war status and said ships should not face any fees or taxes while using the waterway.&nbsp;"The Strait of Hormuz must return to its pre-war status, without the imposition of fees."&nbsp;He said no country should use important waterways to put pressure on other nations or threaten their interests.&nbsp;"The kingdom rejects any party's use of these vital passages as a tool for pressure, threat, or harm to the interests of states, in a manner consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions," he said.&nbsp;Bin Farhan spoke shortly after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal also included a ceasefire in the Middle East and the release of frozen Iranian assets.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-will-achieve-ukraine-war-aims-europe-doing-everything-to-block-peace-talks-lavrov-at-un-1790441169006">Russia will achieve Ukraine war aims; Europe doing everything to block peace talks: Lavrov at UN</a><h3>Saudi Arabia backs two-state solution</h3>The Saudi foreign minister also addressed the situation in the Palestinian territories. He rejected attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians or change the existing status quo.&nbsp;"We reject any attempt at forced displacement or changing the status quo in the Palestinian territories.&nbsp;A just peace can only be achieved through the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The continued illegal expansion of settlements constitutes a grave violation of international and humanitarian law."

Saudi Arabia has urged global action against Houthi attacks on the Kingdom and commercial shipping, while calling for free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandab Strait.

Saudi Arabia has called on the international community to do more to protect key waterways in the Middle East, warning that attempts to disrupt shipping routes could threaten global energy security. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan made the remarks at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. He called for international action against attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia on Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping. He also urged countries to protect navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandab Strait, which are important routes for oil and gas exports. Saudi Arabia calls for free navigation "The international community has been absent from assuming its responsibilities in confronting all that threatens international peace and security," bin Farhan told the UN General Assembly. He stressed the need to protect freedom of navigation across major international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. "The kingdom stresses the importance of guaranteeing the protection of freedom of navigation in all international waterways, foremost among them the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden," he said. Bin Farhan also called for the Strait of Hormuz to return to its pre-war status and said ships should not face any fees or taxes while using the waterway. "The Strait of Hormuz must return to its pre-war status, without the imposition of fees." He said no country should use important waterways to put pressure on other nations or threaten their interests. "The kingdom rejects any party's use of these vital passages as a tool for pressure, threat, or harm to the interests of states, in a manner consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions," he said. Bin Farhan spoke shortly after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal also included a ceasefire in the Middle East and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Also Read: Russia will achieve Ukraine war aims; Europe doing everything to block peace talks: Lavrov at UN Saudi Arabia backs two-state solution The Saudi foreign minister also addressed the situation in the Palestinian territories. He rejected attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians or change the existing status quo. "We reject any attempt at forced displacement or changing the status quo in the Palestinian territories. A just peace can only be achieved through the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The continued illegal expansion of settlements constitutes a grave violation of international and humanitarian law."

Saudi Arabia has urged global action against Houthi attacks on the Kingdom and commercial shipping, while calling for free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandab Strait.

Global community 'absent' in Gulf crisis: Saudi at UN calls for freedom of navigation, pre war status for Hormuz

Iran on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, insisting that the strategic waterway will remain under Iranian control.&nbsp;Trump has repeatedly claimed that the strait, which Tehran effectively closed after the Middle East war began in late February, is under US control. Iran has rejected the claim.&nbsp;"The Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X.&nbsp;"This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran's command."&nbsp;Gharibabadi also took a swipe at Trump, saying, “The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet, nor by aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor by an election speech. Iran neither fears threats nor cowers before displays of power.”&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ترامپ گفته بعد از شکست ایران، بزودی تنگه هرمز را قلمرو آمریکا اعلام خواهد کرد! تنگه هرمز را نه با توییت می‌توان تصاحب کرد و نه با ناو هواپیمابر، نه با صدور فرمان و نه با سخنرانی انتخاباتی. ایران نه از تهدید می هراسد و نه با نمایش قدرت مرعوب می‌شود. (۱)&mdash; Gharibabadi (@Gharibabadi) <a href="https://x.com/Gharibabadi/status/2088369143183729089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Trump made the remarks at a political rally in New York State on Friday. He said that after the US defeats Iran, "pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States"."It's true," he added.&nbsp;However, the Wall Street Journal, citing an unnamed White House official, reported that Trump was joking.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-years-of-taliban-rule-how-afghanistan-has-changed-since-the-fall-of-kabul-1786790282607">Five years of Taliban rule: How Afghanistan has changed since the fall of Kabul</a><h2>Iran sets conditions for reopening the waterway</h2>Iran has also laid out several conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, a senior Iranian official demanded an end to the "war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq".&nbsp;Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr also called for an end to sanctions, the release of frozen assets and compensation for damage caused during the war.&nbsp;Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates state-owned oil giant ADNOC said Saturday that one of its vessels came under attack the previous night. The Gulf nation had on Friday blamed Iran for attacks on two other vessels linked to ADNOC as they travelled through the strait.<h2>Hormuz disruption hits global oil supplies</h2>Before the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28, triggering the war, the Strait of Hormuz handled nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments.&nbsp;The disruption sharply reduced oil shipments through the waterway, pushing oil prices higher and increasing pressure on Washington. Iran now wants greater control over the strait and plans to charge tolls, powers it did not exercise before the war. The United States would strongly oppose such a move.&nbsp;Continued volatility and high oil prices have also weighed on the prospects of Trump's Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November.&nbsp;US Vice President JD Vance said this week that Washington's main priority in the Iran war was keeping energy prices low for Americans. He ranked preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon as the second priority.&nbsp;Tehran also signalled last week that it had reached an agreement with Oman on a route for ships to transit the strait. The two sides were finalising arrangements to jointly manage the waterway.

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington's top priority in the Iran war was keeping energy prices low for Americans, while preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon ranked second.

Iran on Saturday rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, insisting that the strategic waterway will remain under Iranian control. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the strait, which Tehran effectively closed after the Middle East war began in late February, is under US control. Iran has rejected the claim. "The Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X. "This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran's command." Gharibabadi also took a swipe at Trump, saying, “The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet, nor by aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor by an election speech. Iran neither fears threats nor cowers before displays of power.”

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington's top priority in the Iran war was keeping energy prices low for Americans, while preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon ranked second.

'Accept the reality': Iran rejects Trump's Hormuz claim, says waterway will remain under its command

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (August 12) claimed that the United States has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and said he intends to maintain control of the strategic waterway as negotiations with Iran over its reopening remain stalled.&nbsp;In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it."&nbsp;Trump also claimed that Iran's military infrastructure had suffered severe damage. He ended his message with the phrase, "Praise be to Allah!"&nbsp;"All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he added.&nbsp;Trump has repeatedly said that Washington controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy and other commodity shipments through the Middle East.&nbsp;Iran, however, says it effectively controls a large part of the waterway and plans to impose a toll system in response to the US war launched by Trump on February 28.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-gives-intelligence-services-broad-powers-amid-rising-hybrid-threats-security-lapses-1786548101127">Germany gives intelligence services broad powers amid rising threats, security lapses</a>&nbsp;Trump made a similar claim on Tuesday while speaking to reporters. "We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it."&nbsp;The remarks came amid a prolonged confrontation over the strategic maritime passage. Nearly 20 per cent of global petroleum trade moves through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Trump's latest statement also came as Washington and Tehran continued behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement. Representatives from both sides have held indirect discussions over measures to ease the Hormuz crisis and restore regular maritime traffic.&nbsp;Tehran has reportedly sought compensation for war-related damage linked to the US war launched by Trump on February 28, along with compensation for economic losses caused by sanctions. Trump has publicly rejected the demand.&nbsp;At the same time, the Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Tehran by enforcing existing sanctions and warning that additional punitive measures could follow if Iran refuses to comply.Iranian representatives have accused Washington of using military pressure and economic measures to seek unilateral concessions during the negotiations.

US President Donald Trump has again claimed that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, insisting Iran can do nothing to challenge the US naval blockade.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (August 12) claimed that the United States has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and said he intends to maintain control of the strategic waterway as negotiations with Iran over its reopening remain stalled. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it." Trump also claimed that Iran's military infrastructure had suffered severe damage. He ended his message with the phrase, "Praise be to Allah!" "All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he added. Trump has repeatedly said that Washington controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy and other commodity shipments through the Middle East. Iran, however, says it effectively controls a large part of the waterway and plans to impose a toll system in response to the US war launched by Trump on February 28. Also Read: Germany gives intelligence services broad powers amid rising threats, security lapses Trump made a similar claim on Tuesday while speaking to reporters. "We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it." The remarks came amid a prolonged confrontation over the strategic maritime passage. Nearly 20 per cent of global petroleum trade moves through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's latest statement also came as Washington and Tehran continued behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement. Representatives from both sides have held indirect discussions over measures to ease the Hormuz crisis and restore regular maritime traffic. Tehran has reportedly sought compensation for war-related damage linked to the US war launched by Trump on February 28, along with compensation for economic losses caused by sanctions. Trump has publicly rejected the demand. At the same time, the Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Tehran by enforcing existing sanctions and warning that additional punitive measures could follow if Iran refuses to comply. Iranian representatives have accused Washington of using military pressure and economic measures to seek unilateral concessions during the negotiations.

US President Donald Trump has again claimed that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, insisting Iran can do nothing to challenge the US naval blockade.

'Nothing Iran can do': Trump again claims US has 'total control' over Hormuz

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the GOBARdhan (Galvanising Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan) scheme with a total outlay of ₹23,731 crore, aiming to significantly increase India's compressed biogas production over the next decade while supporting rural incomes and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.&nbsp;Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the scheme will be implemented from FY2026-27 to FY2035-36. He said it aims to increase domestic compressed biogas production nearly tenfold through an integrated framework that provides assured offtake, stable pricing, capital assistance, pipeline connectivity, credit support and technology development.<h2>Integrated support for the CBG sector</h2>An official release described the scheme as "a defining moment in India's clean energy journey" and said it "will transform the country's abundant agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud, municipal organic waste and other biomass resources into clean fuel, organic manure, rural income and national economic value."&nbsp;The government said the scheme builds on earlier initiatives, including SATAT, the Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme, the Biomass Aggregation Machinery (BAM) Scheme, the Development of Pipeline Infrastructure (DPI) Scheme and financial assistance provided under the National Bioenergy Programme.&nbsp;According to the release, these initiatives have already helped commission more than 200 compressed biogas plants across the country. It added that the new scheme will bring the entire compressed biogas value chain under a single platform to improve project viability and provide greater confidence to investors and lenders.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-opens-up-on-jharkhand-student-protest-for-first-time-says-every-govt-must-1786030596513">Watch: Rahul Gandhi opens up on Jharkhand student protest for first time, says 'every govt must...'</a><h2>Pricing, blending and financial support</h2>Under the scheme, City Gas Distribution entities will procure compressed biogas to meet the government's blending targets of 3 per cent in FY2026-27, 4 per cent in FY2027-28 and 5 per cent from FY2028-29 onwards for the CNG transport and PNG domestic segments.&nbsp;The government has also fixed an administered compressed biogas price of ₹2,110 per Metric Million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) under a minimum 10-year pricing framework to provide long-term revenue certainty for producers.&nbsp;Eligible greenfield compressed biogas projects will receive capital assistance of up to ₹2 crore per tonne per day of installed capacity. The scheme also includes a dedicated credit guarantee mechanism for MSME-based projects, pipeline connectivity for compressed biogas plants and a CBG Ecosystem Challenge Fund to strengthen district-level implementation and feedstock supply chains.&nbsp;The government said the scheme aims to strengthen India's clean gas economy by increasing renewable gas production, reducing fossil fuel imports, creating new income opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs, improving waste management and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The Centre approved the ₹23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme to boost compressed biogas production, improve waste management and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the GOBARdhan (Galvanising Organic Bio Agro Resources Dhan) scheme with a total outlay of ₹23,731 crore, aiming to significantly increase India's compressed biogas production over the next decade while supporting rural incomes and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the scheme will be implemented from FY2026-27 to FY2035-36. He said it aims to increase domestic compressed biogas production nearly tenfold through an integrated framework that provides assured offtake, stable pricing, capital assistance, pipeline connectivity, credit support and technology development. Integrated support for the CBG sector An official release described the scheme as "a defining moment in India's clean energy journey" and said it "will transform the country's abundant agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud, municipal organic waste and other biomass resources into clean fuel, organic manure, rural income and national economic value." The government said the scheme builds on earlier initiatives, including SATAT, the Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme, the Biomass Aggregation Machinery (BAM) Scheme, the Development of Pipeline Infrastructure (DPI) Scheme and financial assistance provided under the National Bioenergy Programme. According to the release, these initiatives have already helped commission more than 200 compressed biogas plants across the country. It added that the new scheme will bring the entire compressed biogas value chain under a single platform to improve project viability and provide greater confidence to investors and lenders. Also Read: Watch: Rahul Gandhi opens up on Jharkhand student protest for first time, says 'every govt must...' Pricing, blending and financial support Under the scheme, City Gas Distribution entities will procure compressed biogas to meet the government's blending targets of 3 per cent in FY2026-27, 4 per cent in FY2027-28 and 5 per cent from FY2028-29 onwards for the CNG transport and PNG domestic segments. The government has also fixed an administered compressed biogas price of ₹2,110 per Metric Million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) under a minimum 10-year pricing framework to provide long-term revenue certainty for producers. Eligible greenfield compressed biogas projects will receive capital assistance of up to ₹2 crore per tonne per day of installed capacity. The scheme also includes a dedicated credit guarantee mechanism for MSME-based projects, pipeline connectivity for compressed biogas plants and a CBG Ecosystem Challenge Fund to strengthen district-level implementation and feedstock supply chains. The government said the scheme aims to strengthen India's clean gas economy by increasing renewable gas production, reducing fossil fuel imports, creating new income opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs, improving waste management and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The Centre approved the ₹23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme to boost compressed biogas production, improve waste management and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Cabinet approves ₹23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme to boost compressed biogas production

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has accused US President Donald Trump of turning America into a "pirate" state after Washington announced plans to charge ships a 20 per cent fee for transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints. Trump on Monday (Jul 13) announced that the US would now be referred to as the "GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT," and will begin collecting a 20 per cent toll on ships passing through the vital shipping route.This comes three weeks after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that no country can charge tolls through the Strait of Hormuz.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-sailor-killed-6-other-injured-as-iran-strikes-uae-tankers-in-strait-of-hormuz-grave-violation-of-international-law-1783990168971">Indian sailor killed, 6 other injured as Iran strikes UAE tankers in Strait of Hormuz: 'Grave violation' of international law</a><h2>Lula slams US</h2>Speaking at a public event in São Paulo state on Monday, Lula mocked Trump's proposal to collect payments from commercial vessels in return for keeping the strategic waterway open."President Trump tweeted that he will unblock the Strait of Hormuz. But for every ship... the oil owner must pay him 20 per cent. This used to be considered piracy," Lula said. "A major nation like the United States... cannot now become a pirate," he added.His remarks come hours after Trump declared tolls and also announced the return of a naval blockade targeting Iranian ships and vessels trading with Tehran, while allowing all other maritime traffic to continue.<h2>Rubio's own words return to haunt White House</h2>Trump's announcement has also revived scrutiny of comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio less than a month ago.On June 23, Rubio argued that no country had the legal authority to impose tolls on ships using the Strait of Hormuz, describing the passage as an international waterway protected under international law."No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway," Rubio had said. "That's existing international law."Those remarks now appear to clash directly with Trump's latest policy, which would require commercial vessels to pay Washington for safe passage through the strait.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-formally-launches-campaign-for-un-security-council-seat-with-new-shanti-vision-what-it-means-1783991884972">India formally launches campaign for UN Security Council seat with new 'SHANTI' vision | Watch</a>The United Nations' International Maritime Organization echoed that position after Trump's announcement, saying there is "no legal basis" for imposing mandatory transit fees on ships using international straits.<h2>Oil prices and politics collide</h2>Lula linked the latest escalation in the Gulf to rising living costs in Brazil, saying higher oil prices have already pushed up the cost of fuel and everyday essentials, including beans, rice, tomatoes and onions.His government has introduced temporary measures to cushion consumers from rising fuel prices following the renewed conflict involving Iran, while revenue from a tax on crude oil exports introduced earlier this year is being used to offset some of the economic impact.

Donald Trump's plan to charge ships a 20 per cent fee for transiting the Strait of Hormuz has drawn sharp criticism from Brazil's President Lula, who accused the US of behaving like a 'pirate'. Scroll down to see why the proposal has also revived Marco Rubio's own words from just weeks ago.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has accused US President Donald Trump of turning America into a "pirate" state after Washington announced plans to charge ships a 20 per cent fee for transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints. Trump on Monday (Jul 13) announced that the US would now be referred to as the "GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT," and will begin collecting a 20 per cent toll on ships passing through the vital shipping route. This comes three weeks after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that no country can charge tolls through the Strait of Hormuz. Also read | Indian sailor killed, 6 other injured as Iran strikes UAE tankers in Strait of Hormuz: 'Grave violation' of international law Lula slams US Speaking at a public event in São Paulo state on Monday, Lula mocked Trump's proposal to collect payments from commercial vessels in return for keeping the strategic waterway open. "President Trump tweeted that he will unblock the Strait of Hormuz. But for every ship... the oil owner must pay him 20 per cent. This used to be considered piracy," Lula said. "A major nation like the United States... cannot now become a pirate," he added. His remarks come hours after Trump declared tolls and also announced the return of a naval blockade targeting Iranian ships and vessels trading with Tehran, while allowing all other maritime traffic to continue. Rubio's own words return to haunt White House Trump's announcement has also revived scrutiny of comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio less than a month ago. On June 23, Rubio argued that no country had the legal authority to impose tolls on ships using the Strait of Hormuz, describing the passage as an international waterway protected under international law. "No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway," Rubio had said. "That's existing international law." Those remarks now appear to clash directly with Trump's latest policy, which would require commercial vessels to pay Washington for safe passage through the strait. Also read | India formally launches campaign for UN Security Council seat with new 'SHANTI' vision | Watch The United Nations' International Maritime Organization echoed that position after Trump's announcement, saying there is "no legal basis" for imposing mandatory transit fees on ships using international straits. Oil prices and politics collide Lula linked the latest escalation in the Gulf to rising living costs in Brazil, saying higher oil prices have already pushed up the cost of fuel and everyday essentials, including beans, rice, tomatoes and onions. His government has introduced temporary measures to cushion consumers from rising fuel prices following the renewed conflict involving Iran, while revenue from a tax on crude oil exports introduced earlier this year is being used to offset some of the economic impact.

Donald Trump's plan to charge ships a 20 per cent fee for transiting the Strait of Hormuz has drawn sharp criticism from Brazil's President Lula, who accused the US of behaving like a 'pirate'. Scroll down to see why the proposal has also revived Marco Rubio's own words from just weeks ago.

'Pirate state': Lula attacks Trump as Rubio's Hormuz remarks come back to haunt White House

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Global community 'absent' in Gulf crisis: Saudi at UN calls for freedom of navigation, pre war status for Hormuz

'Accept the reality': Iran challenges Trump's claim over Strait of Hormuz

'Nothing Iran can do': Trump again claims US has 'total control' over Hormuz

Government clears ₹23,731 cr GOBARdhan scheme to boost renewable gas production

'Pirate state': Lula attacks Trump as Rubio's Hormuz remarks return to haunt US