Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has urged BRICS nations to condemn alleged violations of international law by the United States and Israel.
He was speaking at the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Thursday.
His remarks came during a rare diplomatic moment in which Iranian and Emirati representatives were present in the same meeting since the conflict began on February 28.
Araqchi described Iran as a “victim of unlawful expansionism and warmongering” and called on the BRICS+ grouping comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE to oppose what he termed Western dominance and the perceived impunity of the United States.
He urged member states and the wider international community to explicitly denounce violations of international law by the United States and Israel.
His remarks highlighted growing divisions within the BRICS bloc, raising concerns over the group’s ability to reach consensus on a joint statement, as decisions are typically made by unanimity.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of heightened instability in the Middle East, particularly disruptions to maritime routes and global energy supplies following tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping passage handling nearly one-fifth of global crude trade.
India, which is set to assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2026, expressed concern over the impact of the crisis on global energy security. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stressed the importance of safe and uninterrupted maritime trade, warning that continued instability could severely affect global economic stability.
He also criticized the increasing use of unilateral sanctions and coercive economic measures, stating that such actions disproportionately harm developing countries and cannot replace diplomatic engagement.
In a parallel development, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping also discussed the Iran conflict during talks held alongside the BRICS meeting.
According to officials, both leaders emphasized the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
