Brazil's President pledges protection amid rising tensions: 'Won't let Iran conflict hit your pocket

Brasilia (The Uttam Hindu) : Brazilian President Lula da Silva said on Thursday that he cannot predict when the US-Israeli attacks against Iran will end, but he vowed to protect Brazilians from the economic impact of the conflict.

In an interview with local television station Record Bahia, Lula da Silva stressed the uncertainty surrounding the conflict's duration. "The war is still ongoing, but one thing I can say with certainty is that we are doing everything possible to ensure that this irresponsible war against Iran does not impact people's pockets," he said.

He said, "We will not let the rise in international prices affect the pockets of truck drivers, ordinary people, and housewives. That is why we are taking several steps." Brazil is implementing a very serious monitoring process. The president warned against speculation in the domestic fuel market and announced strict controls to prevent profiteering. He said security forces are monitoring the distribution chain to detect possible irregularities.

According to him, his government has also taken measures such as tax exemptions and subsidies to control the rise in fuel prices in the domestic market. Earlier on April 1, Lula da Silva had said that the United States created a false pretext to start an "unnecessary war" against Iran. "The United States got involved in an unnecessary war in Iran, claiming that Iran had nuclear weapons or was trying to make them. This is a lie," Lula said during an interview in Brazil's northeastern state of Ceará.

He said the US has repeatedly waged wars based on lies. He cited, for example, alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq, which were never found. Lula said this was just an excuse, and war never solved anything.