Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has called on the BRICS nations to issue a strong condemnation against what he described as violations of international law perpetrated by the United States and Israel. This appeal was made during a significant two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers held in New Delhi. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the resultant global fuel crisis were the primary subjects of discussion at the summit.
Iran Accuses UAE, Calls for Resistance Against Western Hegemony
During the high-level talks, Araghchi specifically accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a close ally of the United States, of direct involvement in military operations targeting Iran. He asserted that Iran finds itself a “victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering.” The Iranian minister urged the expanded BRICS+ group—which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE—to actively resist what he termed “Western hegemony.” This call comes in the wake of Iran’s own retaliatory strikes against US military installations and assets located in Gulf States, including the UAE, in response to perceived US and Israeli aggression.
Divisions Emerge Within Expanded BRICS Bloc
The foreign ministers’ meeting, hosted by India, brought together representatives from the enlarged BRICS bloc. The inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—nations with divergent views on the escalating Middle East conflict—highlighted existing divisions within the group. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar acknowledged the current period of significant flux in international relations. The ongoing disruptions affecting shipping routes in the Gulf and the vital Strait of Hormuz continue to exert considerable pressure on global oil and gas markets, impacting energy-importing nations like India. India also registered its protest against a recent attack on a ship sailing under the Indian flag off the coast of Oman.
Strait of Hormuz and Economic Ramifications
Addressing concerns over maritime security, Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for all commercial vessels that comply with the directives of Iran’s navy. The persistent conflict in the region has placed a strain on India’s economy, which is heavily dependent on energy and fertilizer imports from the Middle East. Despite the upcoming BRICS leaders’ summit, the deep-seated divisions among member states regarding the Middle East war cast doubt on the possibility of a unified joint statement. Iran’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, indicated that internal disagreements, with one member country reportedly pushing for language that would condemn Iran, complicated the efforts to reach a consensus within the group.
