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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed a gathering of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi on Thursday, calling on the bloc to condemn what he described as US-Israeli "international law violations" and to position itself as a pillar of a new, more equitable global order. His remarks, delivered at the two-day meeting chaired by India, reflect Tehran's growing alignment with the expanding group.

Araghchi's speech was reported by Al Jazeera and by TASS, Russia's state news agency, which quoted him at length. According to Al Jazeera, Araghchi urged BRICS states to take a stand against alleged violations by the United States and Israel, though the outlet did not detail his broader comments.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the event varied by outlet and emphasis. TASS, which published three separate articles on the meeting, focused on Araghchi's criticism of Western powers and his vision for BRICS as a counterweight to the current international system. Al Jazeera's report was shorter, highlighting the call to condemn US-Israeli actions without the additional context provided in TASS's pieces.

TASS also carried comments from Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, who addressed Iran's membership in BRICS in a separate statement on X. Gharibabadi described Iran's participation as "a strategic choice to strengthen multilateralism," according to TASS.

Key Claims

  • Araghchi spoke at a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, as reported by both Al Jazeera and TASS.
  • The minister criticized the West's "false sense of superiority and impunity," a claim carried by a single outlet (TASS) and not independently verified elsewhere.
  • Araghchi argued that BRICS "can and should become one of the main pillars" of a more just world order, according to TASS's account of his address.
  • He called on BRICS states to "unequivocally condemn violations of international law by the US and Israel," as quoted by TASS and referenced by Al Jazeera.
  • Gharibabadi stated that Iran's presence in BRICS reflects a strategic choice for multilateralism, as reported by TASS alone.
  • Background information on BRICS's founding in 2006 and its subsequent expansion was included in multiple TASS articles, consistent across those reports.

Perspectives

Iranian Official Stance: As presented through Araghchi's remarks, Iran views BRICS as a platform to challenge Western-dominated governance and to shield itself from international pressure. The minister's language — citing "horrible acts of genocide," sovereignty violations, and "piracy" — signals a confrontational tone toward the US and Israel.

BRICS Expansion Context: The meeting took place against the backdrop of the group's recent growth, with new members joining in 2024 and 2025. Araghchi's call for a "new world order" aligns with the bloc's stated ambitions to reform global governance, though the extent to which other members share Iran's specific criticisms remains unclear from the available reports.

Regional Dynamics: Al Jazeera's coverage, while neutral, highlighted the call to condemn US-Israeli actions, underscoring the Middle East dimension of Iran's agenda. The bloc's diverse membership, which includes nations with varying relationships with Washington, may limit consensus on such a contentious issue.