Full Breakdown
BRICS Foreign Ministers Confront Iran War and Energy Crisis in New Delhi
5/15/2026, 2:57:03 AM
BRICS Foreign Ministers Meet Amid Iran War and Energy Crisis
On 14-15 May 2026, foreign ministers of the expanded BRICS grouping gathered in New Delhi, India, the BRICS chair for 2026. The two-day session was dominated by the war that began on 28 February when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, and by the resulting disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Background: Conflict and BRICS Expansion
The conflict has seen Iran label the United States and Israel as “illegal expansionism and warmongering” and respond with strikes on Gulf-state facilities, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). BRICS, originally Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa, now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE, bringing regional rivals Iran and the UAE into the same forum.
Key Participants and Their Positions
- Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, urged BRICS members to “explicitly condemn violations of international law by the United States and Israel” and accused the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against Iran.
- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s foreign minister and chair of the meeting, called for “safe, unimpeded maritime flows” and warned that “continuing tensions, risks to maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation.”
- Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, UAE deputy foreign minister, represented the Emirates; the UAE’s response to Araghchi’s accusations was not disclosed.
- Sergey Lavrov (Russia), Mauro Vieira (Brazil), Ronald Lamola (South Africa), Sugiono (Indonesia) and Xu Feihong, China’s ambassador to India (standing in for foreign minister Wang Yi), also attended.
Timeline of Recent Developments
- 28 Feb 2026 – U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran begin.
- Early Mar 2026 – Iran restricts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries about 20 % of global oil shipments.
- 13 Apr 2026 – The United States imposes a naval blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports.
- 14 May 2026 – BRICS foreign ministers meet in New Delhi; Araghchi delivers his condemnation plea.
- 15 May 2026 – Indian-flagged vessel carrying live livestock sinks in Omani waters after a fire; all 14 crew rescued.
Data: Oil Flows and Maritime Incidents
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, normally sources roughly half of its crude through the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the strait has triggered one of the biggest supply disruptions in recent history, pushing crude prices upward and prompting India to increase imports of Russian oil. The Indian-flagged ship incident was attributed by risk-assessment firm Vanguard to a drone- or missile-like explosion.
Why It Matters: Energy Security and BRICS Cohesion
Disruptions to the strait affect global energy markets, raise inflation risks, and test the ability of BRICS to present a unified stance on security issues. The bloc’s consensus-based decision-making is strained by opposing positions of Iran and the UAE, and by India’s strategic ties with both the United States and the Gulf states.
Official Statements & Responses
India’s foreign ministry condemned the attack on the Indian-flagged vessel as “unacceptable” and emphasized the need for dialogue over unilateral sanctions. Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi noted that “one member country” was pushing for language condemning Iran, complicating consensus. China, represented by Ambassador Xu Feihong, maintained a neutral stance while continuing oil purchases from Iran.
Criticism & Opposition
The UAE, a BRICS member since 2024, is expected to resist language condemning Iran, reflecting the broader split within the bloc. Analysts highlighted that India’s deepening partnership with the UAE and its alignment with the United States further complicate consensus building.
On-the-Ground Reports
The Omani Coast Guard rescued all crew from the sinking Indian-flagged vessel. Iranian state media reported that the UAE was “directly involved in the aggression against my country,” without providing details of any UAE response.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the UAE formally responded to Araghchi’s accusations, and the exact perpetrator of the vessel explosion remains unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Iran therefore calls upon BRICS member states and all responsible members of the international community to explicitly condemn violations of international law by the United States and Israel,” — Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister
- “victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering” — Abbas Araghchi
- “We meet at a time of considerable flux in international relations,” — Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Foreign Minister
- “Continuing tensions, risks to maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation,” — Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
- “Safe and unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, remain vital for global economic well-being.” — Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
- “There is an increasing resort to unilateral coercive measures and sanctions inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter,” — Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
What’s Next
The foreign-minister talks precede the 18th BRICS summit scheduled for September 2026 in New Delhi. Observers will watch whether the bloc can forge a joint declaration on the Iran war, maritime security and energy cooperation amid ongoing diplomatic overtures by the United States and China.
