In a strongly worded statement released overnight, the BRICS alliance expressed “grave concern” over the recent military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which began on June 13. The group, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, condemned the attacks as violations of international law and the United Nations Charter, warning of their potentially destabilising impact on the Middle East and the wider global order.
The statement comes amid intensifying regional tensions following coordinated airstrikes believed to have been launched by Western-aligned forces. While the precise origin of the strikes has not been officially confirmed, multiple sources point to military operations aimed at curtailing Iran’s strategic capabilities. The escalation has raised alarms across diplomatic and economic circles worldwide, with fears of a broader conflict and disruptions to global energy markets.
“In the face of rising tensions with unpredictable consequences for international peace and security, as well as for the world economy,” BRICS said, “we underscore the urgent need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace.”
The group reiterated its call for all parties involved to pursue diplomatic avenues. It also denounced attacks on civilian infrastructure and underscored the importance of safeguarding peaceful nuclear facilities.
The statement included a pointed reference to the need for respect for international agreements under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), implicitly criticising actions that could jeopardise Iran’s nuclear sites, which are subject to global monitoring regimes. “Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts,” the statement read.
While refraining from naming specific actors behind the attacks, BRICS reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy as the only viable path to sustainable regional stability. It called for the establishment of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East—an initiative long supported by the United Nations and various non-aligned nations but consistently blocked in practice by strategic rivalries in the region.
The alliance also extended condolences to the victims’ families and pointed out the obligation to protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.
