The BRICS alliance concluded a two-day meeting of foreign ministers in New Delhi on Friday without reaching a consensus on a joint statement, reflecting deep divisions over the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. India, which currently chairs the bloc, acknowledged “differing views among some members” regarding the Middle East crisis during a press briefing. The failure to issue a unified statement marks a rare public split among the 10-nation grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran pushes for condemnation of US and Israel

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led a push for BRICS members to formally condemn what Tehran described as “violations of international law by the United States and Israel” during the conflict. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Araghchi criticized unnamed BRICS members for obstructing consensus, though he did not specify which countries resisted. The war has heightened tensions between Iran and Gulf states, including fellow BRICS aspirant Saudi Arabia, which has yet to formally join the bloc. UAE is already a member.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and rising regional hostilities. Iran-backed groups have launched attacks on shipping lanes, including in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies. Earlier this month, Iran seized an Israeli-linked container ship in the Gulf of Oman, escalating maritime tensions.

Gulf allies remain cautious about Iran’s influence

Saudi Arabia, a strategic ally of the US, has adopted a cautious stance toward BRICS expansion and remains wary of Iran’s expanding regional role. While Riyadh has engaged in dialogue with Tehran in recent years, normalization efforts have stalled amid continued proxy conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Lebanon. The UAE, another BRICS member, has strengthened economic ties with China and India but seeks to balance relations with Washington and Tehran.

During the talks, India, which hosted the meeting, avoided taking a firm stance on the conflict, reflecting its delicate balancing act between Western partners and BRICS allies. Narendra Modi’s government has maintained strategic partnerships with both Israel and Gulf states while deepening trade and energy links with Russia and Iran.

BRICS faces internal strain over global role

The lack of consensus highlights growing strains within BRICS, which has positioned itself as a counterbalance to Western-led institutions. The bloc expanded in 2024, adding five new members to strengthen its global influence. However, internal disagreements on major geopolitical issues—including the Ukraine war, sanctions policy and now the Middle East conflict—risk undermining its cohesion. South Africa and Brazil, both BRICS members, have called for dialogue and de-escalation, while Russia and China have adopted more confrontational rhetoric toward the US and its allies.

The next BRICS summit, expected in late 2025, will be hosted by South Africa. Analysts say the bloc will need to find common ground on divisive issues to maintain credibility as a unified voice for the Global South.

What happens next?

BRICS will likely issue a diluted chair’s summary instead of a joint statement, reflecting the lowest common denominator among members. Individual countries may release separate statements addressing the conflict. Meanwhile, Iran continues to push for regional support while Gulf states seek to prevent Iran’s growing military influence. The outcome of talks could influence BRICS’ ability to act collectively on global security issues in the future.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Al Jazeera
  • Published: May 15, 2026 at 16:39 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #aljazeera · #world-news · #middle-east · #war · #conflict · #iran

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 15, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O mundo assistiu perplexo à mais recente crise diplomática entre potências globais, quando os ministros das Relações Exteriores dos BRICS não conseguiram emitir uma declaração conjunta após encontros em Nova Déli, mergulhados em divisões profundas sobre a guerra entre Israel e Irã. A tensão escalou a ponto de o chanceler iraniano, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, ter exigido uma condenação explícita dos Estados Unidos, enquanto outros membros do bloco, como Brasil e Índia, buscaram um tom mais moderado para evitar um rompimento ainda maior na coalizão.

O impasse nos BRICS reflete não só as divergências geopolíticas globais, mas também o desafio de manter a coesão em um grupo cada vez mais heterogêneo. Para o Brasil, que busca consolidar sua posição como líder regional e voz ativa no Sul Global, a falta de consenso ameaça minar sua estratégia de projeção internacional. Leitores brasileiros devem atentar: a incapacidade de alinhamento entre nações-chave como China, Rússia e Índia expõe as fragilidades de um bloco que, até pouco tempo, era visto como alternativa ao G7.

A ausência de um comunicado final deixa um vazio político preocupante, com possíveis desdobramentos nas relações comerciais e de segurança entre os membros — e para o Brasil, a pressão de equilibrar interesses com potências rivais só tende a aumentar.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El fracaso de los BRICS en emitir una declaración conjunta tras las reuniones de ministros de Exteriores en Nueva Delhi refleja la creciente fractura interna del bloque ante conflictos geopolíticos globales. La división por la guerra entre Israel e Irán, con Irán pidiendo condenar a Estados Unidos, dejó al descubierto las diferencias irreconciliables entre sus miembros, desde potencias como China y Rusia hasta economías emergentes con intereses divergentes.

El bloque, que en los últimos años ha intentado posicionarse como alternativa a Occidente, pierde cohesión justo cuando más necesita presentar un frente unido. Para los hispanohablantes, esto subraya la dificultad de los BRICS para articular una política exterior común, especialmente en temas sensibles como la seguridad regional, donde las alianzas con terceros países pesan más que la unidad ideológica. La incapacidad de consensuar un comunicado no solo debilita su imagen global, sino que también plantea dudas sobre su capacidad para influir en crisis como la de Oriente Medio, donde varios de sus miembros —como Brasil o Sudáfrica— mantienen posturas ambiguas.