Iran and UAE clash at BRICS foreign ministers' meeting

Lead

NEW DELHI — Iran's foreign minister used the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday to urge the bloc to condemn the United States and Israel for their attacks on Iranian territory, and in a rare public confrontation, accused the United Arab Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against his country.

The two-day gathering, hosted by India, which holds the BRICS chair this year, has been overshadowed by the war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Tehran has responded by firing missiles and drones at US bases and other targets in Gulf countries.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from Al Jazeera and The Hindu highlighted the tension between Iran and the UAE, with The Hindu carrying the Iranian foreign minister's blunt remarks that the UAE was "directly involved in the aggression against my country" and that "those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account." South China Morning Post focused on Iran's attempt to rally support against the US, characterizing the conflict as "launched by the United States and Israel" and noting Iran's expectation that Araghchi would use the platform to "seek diplomatic support to counter US military pressure."

All sources agreed that the BRICS meeting took place in New Delhi, but they differed in emphasis: Al Jazeera and The Hindu stressed the Iran-UAE spat, while South China Morning Post framed the story more broadly around Iran's bid to shape the bloc's response to the war.

Key Claims

The meeting, held amid a fragile ceasefire, saw Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi call on BRICS members to condemn "violations of international law by the United States and Israel," according to multiple reports. Araghchi described Iran as a "victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering," as reported by Al Jazeera.

Araghchi accused the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against Iran, a claim carried by several outlets including The Hindu and Al Jazeera, both citing Iranian state media. The accusation came a day after the UAE denied a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he visited the Gulf country during the war, a claim reported by The Hindu.

Iran launched strikes on US military sites and assets in Gulf States, including the UAE, in response to US and Israeli attacks, according to multiple sources. South China Morning Post also noted that Saudi Arabia has launched "numerous, unpublicized strikes" against Iran, citing Western and Iranian officials.

The war has added strain to India's economy, which is heavily reliant on Middle Eastern energy supplies and fertiliser imports, as reported by South China Morning Post and The Hindu. India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met with Araghchi on the sidelines of the meeting, discussing the situation in West Asia and its implications, as well as bilateral issues, according to The Hindu.

Perspectives

Iran's perspective: Iran views itself as a victim of US and Israeli aggression and expects BRICS, as a bloc representing the Global South, to condemn the attacks. Araghchi's remarks reflect Tehran's desire to isolate the US and Israel diplomatically and to press the UAE to reconsider its policies.

UAE's perspective: The UAE's representative did not publicly respond to the accusations during the meeting, according to reports. The UAE had previously denied Netanyahu's claim of a wartime visit, suggesting an attempt to remain neutral or avoid further entanglement in the conflict.

India's perspective: India, as host and BRICS chair, is steering the conversation toward de-escalation, maritime security, and practical guarantees for Indian ships, according to experts quoted by South China Morning Post. India's economy is vulnerable to disruptions in Gulf shipping routes and energy supplies.

BRICS unity concerns: The bloc has struggled to agree on a common position on the war, with Iran's deputy foreign minister stating that a "neighbouring country that is also a member of the BRICS" is thwarting a joint statement by introducing language that condemns Iran's military strategy against US and Israeli attacks.