Brics leaders condemn strikes on Iran and tariffs, but avoid direct mention of US, Israel
The joint declaration, coming against the backdrop of US President
Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs of 100 per cent on imports from Brics countries, underscores an apparent effort to state the members' position without directly provoking the 'America First' leader as they separately negotiate trade deals with Washington.
Without naming the US, the document slammed 'the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules'.
On Iran, the declaration echoes the bloc's joint statement from last month, when Brics nations voiced 'grave concern' over the attacks and stressed 'the urgent need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace' more broadly in the Middle East.
Highlighting Iran's diplomatic isolation at a summit that Tehran had hoped would rally international backing amid tensions with Tel Aviv, the statement also calls for a mediated peace in the region through a two-state solution on Palestine, despite Iran's push for stronger language and refusal to recognise Israel's sovereignty.
'Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm,' it said, calling on the United Nations Security Council to address the situation.
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