Iran calls on BRICS nations to condemn US-Israeli military actions

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on fellow BRICS nations to condemn what he described as violations of international law by the United States and Israel during a two-day gathering in New Delhi. Araghchi also accused the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against Iran, stating that his country is a “victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering”. He urged BRICS+ nations to resist “Western hegemony” and the sense of impunity believed by the US.

Araghchi made these remarks during a meeting with foreign ministers from the expanded BRICS bloc, which includes Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The gathering comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, with disruptions around Gulf shipping routes and the Strait of Hormuz driving volatility in oil and gas markets.

India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that the meeting took place at a time of considerable flux in international relations. India condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged ship off Oman on Wednesday, describing it as “unacceptable”. Araghchi insisted that the Strait of Hormuz is open for commercial vessels that cooperate with its navy.

The US and Israel’s war on Iran has added strain to India’s economy, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern energy supplies and fertiliser imports. The foreign ministers will also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year. It is unclear whether BRICS will release a joint statement at the meeting’s end due to divisions among some members over the war in the Middle East.

Source: Al Jazeera