Lula made the comments on Monday during a visit to a Petrobras drillship off the coast of Oiapoque, in the state of Amapa.

"If President Trump wants to wage a war against Iran and close the Strait of Hormuz, we are here, at the service of the whole world. We are on the Equatorial Margin, 175 kilometres off the coast. We are here, in the middle of the ocean, discovering oil of incredible purity," he said.

Lula highlighted the oil potential of the Equatorial Margin, a large maritime area off Brazil's northern coast, and called for more research.

During the visit, Lula also discussed Brazil's efforts to expand oil co-operation with other countries.

He said he had spoken with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum about opportunities for the two countries to work together in the sector.

According to Lula, the aim is "to go to the Gulf of Mexico and try to find oil in deep waters".

"[Brazilian firm] Petrobras has the potential to be the most important oil company in the world," Lula said in his remarks.

The Brazilian government sees exploration of the Equatorial Margin as a way to increase national production and reduce the country's dependence on oil imports in the coming years.