Brazil's Diplomatic Stance on US-Israeli Attacks Against Iran Sparks Political Debate
Brazil condemned the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, calling for restraint, sparking domestic political criticism and debate over the government's Middle East policy.
- • Brazil's Foreign Ministry condemns US and Israeli attacks on Iran and urges maximum restraint.
- • Iran retaliated with attacks in multiple Middle Eastern countries hosting US bases.
- • Brazilian embassies are monitoring the situation and advising nationals in Iran.
- • Senator Flávio Bolsonaro criticizes Brazil's neutral stance, labeling Iran as a terrorist-supporting regime.
- • Minister Gleisi Hoffmann rebukes Bolsonaro's remarks, emphasizing national unity and Lula's leadership.
- • This controversy reveals internal political divisions over Brazil's foreign policy towards the Middle East.
Key details
Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Itamaraty, officially condemned the recent military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, urging "maximum restraint" and respect for international law. The attacks, which occurred on February 28 amid renewed nuclear negotiations in Geneva between the US and Iran, further escalated tensions in the Middle East. Iran retaliated with a series of attacks across countries hosting US military bases, including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq. The Brazilian government emphasized that negotiations remain the only viable path to peace, maintaining Brazil's longstanding diplomatic position promoting peaceful resolution. Itamaraty also confirmed that Brazilian embassies in the region are closely monitoring the situation, with the ambassador to Iran providing direct updates and security guidance to Brazilian nationals there.
However, this diplomatic stance has provoked sharp criticism from Senator and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), who strongly repudiated Brazil's condemnation of US attacks on Iran. Bolsonaro labeled the Lula administration's position as "indirect support" for Tehran and "morally wrong." He characterized the Iranian regime as one that funds terrorism, threatens Israel's existence, and pursues a nuclear weapons program. Bolsonaro called for Brazil to reject neutrality, advocating instead for a foreign policy that openly condemns regimes promoting instability while expressing solidarity with the UAE and Bahrain.
In response, Minister Gleisi Hoffmann criticized Bolsonaro's remarks, suggesting they reflect a failure to learn from his family's political history and warned that his stance could alienate right-wing voters. Hoffmann credited Lula's 2022 election victory as crucial to Brazil's current international standing, asserting that without it, Brazil would be weakened.
This political exchange highlights the domestic divisions within Brazil regarding its foreign policy toward the Middle East conflict and the balance between diplomatic caution and clear alignment. As the regional situation unfolds, Brazil continues to prioritize peaceful negotiations while monitoring the safety of its citizens abroad.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
