Speaking at an event in Sao Caetano do Sul in Sao Paulo state on Monday, Lula questioned Trump's plan to impose a fee equal to 20 per cent of a cargo's value on vessels receiving US military support while crossing the strategic waterway.

"He posted a tweet saying that <...> for every ship he unblocks, that he gets out of the strait, the owner of the oil will have to pay him 20 per cent. Before, that was called piracy. Isn't that right? <...> So, an important state like the United States , which for a long time I believe fought piracy, cannot now become a pirate. In other words, it has no reason to charge, because the Strait of Hormuz is not their responsibility," Lula said.

The Brazilian president argued that the Strait of Hormuz remained open before the latest conflict between the United States and Iran and challenged Washington's justification for military action.

" Brazil was not the one that invented this war. So, we cannot accept that a war provoked by the United States, saying that Iran wanted to build a nuclear weapon... I can say that this is a lie, because I was in Iran in 2010. I was there together with Ahmadineyad [former president of Iran] and with the president of Turkey, signing a document in which Iran committed not to produce nuclear weapons," he said.

Lula compared the current situation with the 2003 invasion of Iraq, arguing that the United States had used similar claims about weapons of mass destruction before launching military action.

He also warned that the conflict was affecting Brazil's economy, saying prices of products such as rice, tomatoes and onions had risen. Lula added that his government was working to limit fuel price increases during the crisis, including through a 12 per cent tax on oil exports.

The comments came after renewed fighting in the Middle East. Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all ships, while the United States responded by imposing a blockade on Iranian ports.

Speaking at a daily press briefing in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said restoring navigation through the strategic waterway was in the interests of all parties after Iran claimed it had closed the strait and the United States announced further strikes on Iranian targets.

"The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway used for international navigation, and restoring safe and free passage through the strait as soon as possible is in the interests of all parties. The issue of navigation through the strait should be properly addressed. China is willing to maintain communication with relevant countries and the international community on this matter," Lin said.

Iran's claim that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz was disputed by Washington, which maintained that the waterway remained open. The renewed fighting has placed additional pressure on a route that is vital for global energy supplies and commercial shipping.

During the same briefing, Lin rejected allegations from US Federal Maritime Commission chair Laura DiBella that China was using port state control inspections to target Panama after a dispute over port concessions near the Panama Canal.

He said Panama-flagged vessels had been involved in a disproportionate number of maritime incidents in Chinese waters.

"From January to July of this year, Panama-flagged vessels accounted for nearly 20 percent of the total number of foreign-flagged vessel calls at Chinese ports, while their share of vessel accidents and deaths or missing persons reached approximately 50 percent, respectively," Lin said.

Responding to DiBella's comments, Lin defended China's inspection regime.

"Port State control, as an important measure to ensure the safety of vessel navigation and the cleanliness of waters, serves as the primary means by which countries manage the safety of foreign-flagged vessels calling at their ports. China attaches great importance to waterborne traffic and personal safety and conducts port State control inspections on vessels calling at Chinese ports in accordance with laws and regulations, which is fully consistent with international conventions," he added.

Lin also confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai later this week.

“If it was not for Iran's missile capabilities, our country would have been plundered and destroyed and plowed by the US regime and Israel and the Zionist regime, like what the Israelis did in Gaza,” he said.

Pezeshkian also supported Sharif’s position that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached between Tehran and Washington does not include provisions related to Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

“We shall never compromise on our missile programme and capabilities. And this shall never be part of any part of any agreement between Iran and any other parties,” he said.

The comments came after US Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump had not demanded that Iran abandon its right to self-defence.

Responding to questions about Washington’s position on Iran’s missile programme, Vance said countries retain the right to defend themselves. However, he added that the United States expects any final agreement to include restrictions preventing Iran from developing missiles capable of threatening large areas beyond its borders.

Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan included meetings with Prime Minister Sharif and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The trip followed high-level talks between the United States and Iran held on June 21, 2026, in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with Pakistan and Qatar serving as mediators. The discussions focused on implementing the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan and Qatar later announced that both sides had agreed to establish a high-level committee and develop a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days.

The mediators also said a communication mechanism would be created to reduce the risk of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and help safeguard commercial shipping through one of the world ’s most important energy transit routes.

Speaking in Burgenstock on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said a new structure had been established to help ensure the long-term success of the ceasefire measures agreed under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

"Regarding Clause 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding, a mechanism was envisaged to monitor a lasting cessation of hostilities. In the presence of the mediators, this innovative mechanism was established, named the 'De-confliction Cell’, to ensure that the ceasefire in Lebanon remains stable," Baqaei explained.

Baqaei also said negotiators had agreed to establish a separate mechanism covering maritime navigation through one of the region's most important waterways.

"Concerning the issue of safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz, it was agreed that a mechanism would be put in place," he added, noting the ‘significance’ of the move.

The talks in Switzerland bring together Iranian and US representatives as both sides work through outstanding issues outlined in the memorandum signed earlier this month.

Iran's delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. The US delegation is headed by Vice President JD Vance, with White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also taking part in the Qatar-Pakistan mediated discussions.

Negotiators are expected to focus on unresolved issues including a regional ceasefire, security in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme.

The talks follow the signing of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding by US President Donald Trump at the Palace of Versailles on June 17.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later signed the agreement, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also added his signature as part of the mediation effort.

The 14-point memorandum commits both sides to de-escalation measures and broader negotiations over a 60-day period. It also calls for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz toll-free during that timeframe, while the United States is required to begin the gradual lifting of its naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The agreement, expected to be signed in Geneva, would see Iran commit to renouncing the development or acquisition of nuclear weapons in exchange for support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route. The deal follows nearly four months of conflict involving the US and Israel, which has resulted in over 7,000 deaths, according to official figures, and has raised concerns over regional stability and energy markets .

Japan tops the world in estimated daily per-capita fermented food consumption, highlighting the enduring role of traditional diets in modern nutrition as scientists continue to explore the health benefits of fermented foods.

According to data compiled from Fermented Food Consumption Analysis, Public Health Nutrition (2024), PubMed Central , and other academic sources, the average person in Japan consumes approximately 360 grams of fermented foods daily, placing the country ahead of South Korea, Ethiopia and several Nordic nations.

Japan's leadership reflects the widespread use of fermented ingredients in everyday meals. Common staples include miso, soy sauce and katsuobushi, all of which are produced through fermentation processes that have been refined over generations.

South Korea ranks second with an estimated 290 grams per person daily, driven largely by the country's famous fermented dishes such as kimchi, doenjang and gochujang. Kimchi alone is consumed regularly by a majority of South Korean households and is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the national diet.

Indonesia rounds out Asia's representation in the top ten with approximately 175 grams per day, supported by traditional foods including tempeh, tape and oncom.

Outside Asia, Ethiopia stands out with an estimated daily consumption of 280–310 grams, reflecting the importance of fermented staples such as injera , the country's iconic sourdough flatbread, as well as traditional fermented beverages including tej and borde.

Northern Europe also performs strongly. Iceland ranks fourth at around 270 grams per day, while Finland and Denmark share fifth place with 260–270 grams daily.

In these countries, fermented dairy products play a central role. Foods such as skyr, viili, piimä and kefir have been consumed for centuries and remain popular components of everyday diets.

Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia all feature prominently in the ranking, reflecting the region's longstanding relationship with fermented milk products and preserved foods.

Bulgaria records approximately 230 grams daily, supported by its globally recognised yoghurt culture. Turkey follows with around 200 grams, where yoghurt, ayran and tarhana continue to be dietary staples.

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine average about 190 grams, with foods such as ryazhenka, smetana and pickled vegetables remaining common household items.

Growing consumer interest in gut health has brought renewed attention to fermented foods. Research published in journals including Public Health Nutrition and studies indexed by PubMed Central suggest that fermented foods may contribute beneficial microorganisms and bioactive compounds that support digestive health and microbial diversity.

A widely cited Stanford University study found that diets rich in fermented foods were associated with increased microbiome diversity and reduced markers of inflammation in healthy adults.

Researchers caution, however, that the health impact of fermented foods can vary depending on the type of food, preparation methods and overall dietary patterns.

“In response to this aggression and violation of the Strait of Hormuz regulations, the enemy’s American-Zionist vessel named Panaya was targeted by missiles from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy,” the report stated.

The broadcaster also said the United States had carried out another strike on Iranian infrastructure.

“It is mentioned that the American enemy, in another act of aggression, targeted a telecommunications tower of the Corps in the south of Qeshm Island,” it added.

Iran said it responded by targeting US-linked military sites in the region.

“In response to this aggression, their airbase and helicopter base located in one of the countries in the region, as well as the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet, were subjected to missile and drone attacks by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” the report said.

Kuwait’s military said drones struck its international airport, causing “significant” damage. However, US Central Command (CENTCOM) appeared to dispute the extent of the attack.

“Two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart en route, and three missiles launched at Bahrain were immediately intercepted by US and Bahrain air defence forces,” CENTCOM said.

US media reported that President Donald Trump had requested changes to the framework of a potential agreement after talks with aides, including issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, the removal of enriched uranium, and negotiations on Iran’s nuclear deal.

Tehran said on Monday, June 1, that the United States was “constantly changing its views and putting forward new or contradictory demands.”