BRICS, With India on Board, Expresses ‘Grave Concern' Over Strikes on Iran

The Wire

6 hours ago

New Delhi: The ten-member BRICS bloc of emerging economies, which includes India, has expressed 'grave concern' over the recent military strikes on Iran, describing the attacks as violations of international law and the UN Charter.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday (June 25) by Brazil's foreign ministry, BRICS called on all parties to pursue diplomatic engagement and de-escalation.
Brazil currently holds the rotating presidency of the bloc and is scheduled to host the annual BRICS summit next week.
Earlier this month, India had disassociated itself from a statement issued by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which had strongly condemned Israel's military action on Iranian territory.
However, there has been no indication so far that India has objected to or distanced itself from the BRICS statement.
The current round of hostilities began on June 13, when Israel launched a wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military installations, reportedly killing nuclear scientists and senior Iranian officials.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, followed by reciprocal strikes from Israel. The exchange continued over ten days, before the US joined the conflict, striking three Iranian nuclear facilities. In response, Iran launched a symbolic missile attack on a US air base in Qatar.
A ceasefire was later announced by US President Donald Trump and remains in effect.
'We express grave concern over the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since June 13, 2025, which constitute a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East,' the BRICS statement said.
The bloc also voiced 'serious concern over any attacks against peaceful nuclear installations that are carried out in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency'.
It stressed that nuclear safeguards, safety and security must be upheld 'even in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm'.
Highlighting the 'urgent need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace', BRICS warned that rising tensions in the region carry 'unpredictable consequences for international peace and security, as well as for the world economy'.
The statement reiterated the bloc's support for diplomatic efforts to address regional challenges and urged all sides to 'engage through existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy, with a view to de-escalating the situation and resolving their differences through peaceful means'.
Besides India and Brazil, the BRICS grouping comprises Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
The statement reaffirmed the bloc's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all UN member states and called for efforts to prevent a further deterioration of West Asia's security environment.
'We stress the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law, and of ensuring the safety and security of peaceful nuclear facilities,' it said.
BRICS also reiterated its support for the establishment of a West Asia free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
On Tuesday, India had welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, as well as the role played by the US and Qatar in facilitating it, while stating that it remained 'deeply concerned' about the overall prospects for regional peace and stability.
Following the US strikes on Sunday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, conveying 'deep concern' over the escalating situation and calling for 'immediate de-escalation' through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi's statement steered clear of any condemnation of the US strikes.
The Iranian embassy in New Delhi posted a statement on Wednesday that expressed 'heartfelt gratitude to all noble and freedom-loving people of India' that 'stood firmly and vocally with the great nation of Iran'.
'Once again, we express our sincere appreciation for the genuine and invaluable support shown by the people and institutions of the great nation of India,' it said on X.