U.S. Opposes Brazilian Decision on Iranian Ships in South America

The Government of the United States Expressed Its Discontent With the Permit Granted by Brazil for Iranian Vessels to Dock in Rio de Janeiro. 

The Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department Stated That Such a Decision Was “Wrong” and Sent a “Wrong” Message.

In a stern tone, it was emphasized that Brazil is the only country in the region to adopt such a measure. According to U.S. authorities, the Iranian vessels Íris Makran and Iris Dena of the war fleet should have been prevented from docking in Guanabara Bay.

However, despite the protest from U.S. authorities, the Lula government allowed the Iranian vessels to remain until Saturday, the 4th. This action provoked discontent among U.S. diplomats.

The Brazilian Navy Granted Authorization for Two Iranian Vessels to Dock in the Country Between January 23 and 30. The Announcement Was Made Shortly Before Luiz’s Visit to Washington, Invited by Then-President Joe Biden.

Despite this decision, the U.S. government expected that Brazil Would Not Allow the Arrival of Iranian Vessels. According to a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, “Hosting Vessels Belonging to a Repressive Regime Sends a Wrong Message and Is a Misguided Decision”.

Amid Friendly Relations Between the Governments of Lula and Joe Biden, Brazil Found Itself in a Delicate Position But Chose to Allow the Entry of Iranian Vessels, Thus Demonstrating Its Independence From International Pressure.

The Surprising Meeting Between U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira Last Thursday (02) Was a Sign That U.S. Pressure on the Iranian Issue Will Not Be Intensified. According to Itamaraty Sources, the Issue of the Vessels Was Not Even Addressed During the Meeting.

According to Itamaraty, the Americans “Understood” the Message Sent by Brazil That the Issue Relates to the Sovereignty and Self-Determination of the Involved Countries: Iran and Brazil. However, Republican Legislators Have Pressured the Biden Administration to Impose Sanctions Against Brazil.

The Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul (Republican from Texas), Classified the Decision of the Lula Government as “Totally Unacceptable”. Senator Ted Cruz (Also Republican from Texas) Said That It “Threatens” the Security of Americans and Called for Sanctions Against Brazil.

In This Troubled Scenario, the Meeting Between Blinken and Vieira Seems to Have Surprised Republican Legislators by Not Bringing Up the Expected Sanction Discussion. It Seems That This Time Brazil Was Able to Assert Its Sovereignty Before the U.S.

The U.S. Ambassador, Elizabeth Bagley, Who Was Sent by Biden to Brasília, Stated Firmly That “Vessels Should Not Dock Anywhere”. Although She Denied That the Subject Was Addressed Between Lula and Biden at the White House, She Confirmed That the State Department Would Take the Matter to the Analysis of the Brazilian Government.

Brazilian Diplomats Believe That the Country Made the Right Decision in Refusing the Request Made by the United States Regarding the Vessels. Rubens Barbosa, Former Brazilian Ambassador to the U.S., Emphasized That Brazil’s Position Is Legitimate and Should Not Face Any Type of Political or Economic Punishment from Washington.

In Light of the Global Scenario Marked by Intense Divisions, Barbosa Highlighted That Maintaining a Distance From These Tensions Is the Best Exit for the Country. However, He Added That “Brazil Accepts the Imposition of Sanctions As Long As They Are Approved by the UN Security Council“, As It Considers Unilateral Political and Trade Sanctions to Be Illegal. Iran Is Suffering Severe Consequences Due to Unilateral Sanctions Imposed by the United States.