The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in New Delhi, India, ended without a joint statement after major disagreements emerged among member states, particularly between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Reuters, the Indian government announced that only a “Chair’s Summary” was issued instead of a final communiqué, the group’s failure to agree on a unified position regarding developments in the Middle East and the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Iranian media reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the UAE during the meeting of indirectly participating in the war. He argued that Abu Dhabi’s hosting of U.S. military bases and its security cooperation with Israel had effectively made the country part of the conflict.
The Emirati delegation reportedly responded by demanding that any final statement condemn the Islamic Republic’s missile attacks on UAE territory and the seizure of vessels, a demand strongly opposed by Tehran.
According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Russia tried to mediate by proposing a softer draft centered on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the UAE rejected any reference to the Strait, believing it would legitimize Iran’s influence over the strategic route.
