On May 15, 2025, a two-day meeting of the foreign ministers of BRICS countries began in New Delhi. The central topic of discussion was the war in Iran, which posed a challenge to the bloc in finding a common approach to this complex situation.
BRICS, which includes Russia, India, China, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia, faced difficulties in forming a unified position on the conflict in Iran due to differing views among member countries. Iran is exerting pressure on the organization to condemn military actions by the US and Israel, hoping for support from India. However, the United Arab Emirates, having suffered from Iranian attacks, is unlikely to support such a position.
The meeting in New Delhi takes place against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s visit to China, which may influence the course of the discussions. It should be noted that China, being the largest importer of Iranian oil and a crucial diplomatic partner of Tehran, also has significant influence on this situation.
Historically, BRICS has not always succeeded in reaching consensus on key international issues. For example, in 2025, the group condemned the strikes by the US and Israel on Iran but avoided addressing the issue of the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States.
The coming days will show whether BRICS can find a common approach to the Iranian issue, which could impact the overall balance of power on the international stage.
| Country | Position on the Iranian issue |
|---|---|
| India | Undetermined |
| United Arab Emirates | Against condemning the US and Israel |
| China | Supports Iran |
