The US lied about Iran just as it once lied about Iraq - Lula da Silva

The US lied about Iran just as it once lied about Iraq. This statement was made by Brazilian President Lula da Silva during a speech at the Maua Institute of Technology in the city of Sao Cayetano do Sul, Xinhua Espanyol news agency reports.

"The United States lied about Iran's nuclear program just as they lied about Iraq's chemical weapons. This provoked the war. And now Trump is demanding a 20 percent payment from every ship that he claims the US will unblock (in the Strait of Hormuz). It used to be called piracy," Lula da Silva said.

He added that the United States "should not now turn into pirates themselves," calling such an approach "uncivilized and undemocratic" and condemning those who "profit from wars and tragedies."

Lula da Silva stressed that the escalation of the conflict, provoked by the United States, has already led to an increase in world oil prices, which, in turn, caused an increase in the price of basic foodstuffs (legumes, rice, tomatoes, onions) and fuel in Brazil. The Brazilian president also mentioned that the Brazilian oil export tax introduced in March is aimed at mitigating the consequences of this increase in prices within the country.

According to him, the current actions of the United States repeat the logic of aggressive deception and pose a threat to the whole world.

On July 3, 2026, Donald Trump announced that the United States would resume the naval blockade of Iran and assume the role of "guardian of the Strait of Hormuz." He announced the introduction of a 2.0 percent levy on all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz.