Iran-UAE Tensions Prevent BRICS from Issuing Joint Statement on Middle East War
Deepening tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates prevented BRICS foreign ministers from agreeing on a joint statement during a summit in New Delhi, exposing growing divisions within the expanded bloc.
According to officials and diplomats, Iran pushed for a stronger condemnation of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Tehran, while disagreements with the UAE blocked consensus on the final communiqué.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the UAE of involvement in military operations against Iran, escalating already strained relations between the two countries. Abu Dhabi has denied direct participation in the conflict.
Instead of a unified declaration, India, which hosted the meeting, issued a chair’s statement emphasising diplomacy, sovereignty and regional stability while acknowledging differing positions among member states.
The dispute highlights the challenges facing the expanded BRICS alliance, which now includes Iran, the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia alongside founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Analysts say the growing diversity of political interests inside the bloc is making consensus increasingly difficult on major geopolitical crises.
