New Delhi, May 13: Iran on Wednesday accused the United Arab Emirates of obstructing efforts within BRICS to evolve a common position on the escalating West Asia crisis, exposing growing divisions inside the influential bloc ahead of a crucial foreign ministers’ conclave in New Delhi.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, currently visiting India for the BRICS meeting, said one member nation was insisting on language critical of Tehran, preventing consensus among the grouping’s members at a time of mounting regional instability.
Speaking to a select group of journalists, Gharibabadi stressed that Iran wanted India’s chairship of BRICS to succeed and expressed concern that internal disagreements could weaken the bloc’s global image.
“It is not good for BRICS to appear divided before the international community. One country is insisting on condemning Iran, and this has complicated efforts to arrive at a unified position,” he said.
Though he did not directly name the UAE initially, diplomatic sources indicated sharp differences between Tehran and Abu Dhabi over the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran had stalled negotiations during earlier BRICS consultations involving deputy foreign ministers and special envoys.
The Iranian leader’s remarks came a day before India hosts the two-day BRICS foreign ministers’ summit, which is expected to focus heavily on the worsening West Asia situation, global energy security and the economic fallout of the conflict.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will chair the meeting, which is likely to witness intense discussions among member nations over the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are among the senior leaders participating in the conclave.
Gharibabadi praised India’s role as BRICS chair and described New Delhi’s approach as “balanced and impartial.” He also welcomed any diplomatic initiative taken by India to reduce tensions and restore peace in the region.
“India has consistently supported peace and stability. We will welcome any constructive initiative from New Delhi aimed at ending hostilities and promoting regional security,” he said.
The deputy foreign minister also addressed rising concerns surrounding maritime security and energy supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
He revealed that Iran and Oman are jointly working on a new service-and-payment mechanism for commercial ships passing through the strategic waterway. According to him, the proposed framework would ensure regulated and transparent movement of vessels under internationally accepted standards.
Under the initiative, merchant ships would receive navigational assistance and related maritime services from Iran and Oman, while fees would be levied depending on cargo volume and vessel size.
Gharibabadi indicated that Tehran had already allowed several Indian ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing tensions and suggested more vessels could soon receive clearance to return home safely.
The Iranian official argued that opening the strait unconditionally at the current stage could create security vulnerabilities for Tehran, claiming that hostile forces might misuse the route for military purposes against Iran.
Global energy markets have been under severe pressure since tensions in West Asia escalated sharply. Concerns over restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil and liquefied natural gas prices higher, raising fears of prolonged economic instability.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister maintained that the United States had suffered a “strategic defeat” in the conflict and accused Washington of lacking seriousness in pursuing diplomacy.
He also reiterated Tehran’s position that the Strait of Hormuz could be fully reopened if the US lifted sanctions on Iranian ports, released frozen Iranian assets and ended military operations.
On regional diplomacy, Gharibabadi welcomed Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States, describing Islamabad as a supportive intermediary rather than a direct negotiator.
“We welcome all diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions. Pakistan is facilitating communication, and such efforts are positive,” he said.
The Iranian official also reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to the strategically important Chabahar Port project involving India, stating that future progress would depend largely on New Delhi’s assessment of the impact of US sanctions.
India has continued to view Chabahar as a critical connectivity project linking South Asia with Central Asia and Afghanistan while bypassing Pakistan.
The upcoming BRICS meeting is expected to test the grouping’s ability to maintain unity amid widening geopolitical differences among its expanded membership.
Originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE, with Indonesia joining the bloc in 2025.
The grouping now represents nearly half of the world’s population and a significant share of global GDP and international trade, making consensus on major geopolitical issues increasingly important as well as more challenging.
Diplomatic observers believe the New Delhi conclave could become a defining moment for BRICS as member states attempt to balance strategic interests, regional rivalries and global diplomatic expectations amid one of the most volatile periods in recent international politics.