Lula Condemns Iran War, Orders Fuel-Price Crackdown in Brazil

Overview

• Lula, speaking in Hannover on Tuesday, called the Iran conflict a "war of senselessness" and said the United States does not need to keep showing force.
• He vowed to do everything possible to blunt fuel price jumps in Brazil and said no new federal measures are needed beyond those already in place.
• The government is investigating fuel distributors for suspected price abuse through the oil regulator ANP, the Federal Police, and the federal audit office CGU.
• He said he will work with state governments to stop war-driven costs from reaching retail pumps and grocery bills, warning that truck drivers and families could face higher diesel and food prices.
• He revived Brazil’s 2010 deal with Turkey and Iran as a missed chance to ease tensions and renewed his call for reform of the United Nations and its Security Council.