Iran Presses BRICS, India Caught in Strait of Hormuz Crisis
JAKARTA - The Iran war is now on the BRICS table. Citing a Kyodo News report, Friday, May 15, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi urged BRICS countries to condemn the United States and Israel for alleged violations of international law.
The appeal was made at a BRICS+ meeting in New Delhi, India, Thursday. The forum was attended by Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Araqchi called Iran a "victim of illegal expansionism and political war". He asked BRICS to fight what he called Western hegemony and the United States' sense of impunity.
"Iran asks BRICS member countries and all members of the international community to unequivocally condemn the violation of international law by the United States and Israel," Araqchi said, quoted by Kyodo.
The atmosphere of the forum became complicated because Araqchi also accused the United Arab Emirates of being directly involved in military operations against Iran. The UAE, a close ally of the United States, was present through Deputy Foreign Minister Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar.
Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported that Araqchi said the UAE was "directly involved in the aggression against my country".
The accusation could make it difficult for BRICS to make a joint statement. This group works on the principle of consensus. That is, sharp differences among members can hinder the birth of a common attitude.
Until the report was released, it was not clear how the UAE and other countries responded to Iran's statement.
India is in a difficult position. Its relations with the UAE are strengthening. On the other hand, India is among the countries most affected by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the war broke out.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important sea route that is usually used by about a fifth of the world's oil shipments. When this line is disrupted, global energy supplies are shaken.
India, the world's third-largest oil importer, is heavily reliant on the route. The country has experienced supply disruptions and lost sailors due to attacks on ships in the Gulf region.
Although the ceasefire has taken effect, sporadic attacks are still occurring. On Wednesday, an Indian-flagged ship sailing from Somalia to the UAE sank in Omani waters after it caught fire. The ship was carrying live cattle. All 14 crew members were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.
India did not specify the cause of the incident. However, the British maritime risk management company, Vanguard, said there was an explosion allegedly from a drone or missile attack.
"The ongoing tensions, the risks to maritime traffic, and the disruption of energy infrastructure show how fragile the current situation is," Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said, quoted by Kyodo.
Jaishankar stressed that international shipping must remain safe and unimpeded, including in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. The route is important for the global economy.
He also criticized the use of sanctions and unilateral measures that are not in line with international law and the UN Charter.
"Such steps have a disproportionate impact on developing countries," Jaishankar said. "Pressure cannot replace diplomacy."
For developing countries, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are not just a matter of war far in the Middle East. The route also determines whether or not energy supplies, transportation costs, and the prices of goods that move by sea are smooth.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump, who was visiting Beijing, discussed the Iran war with Chinese President Xi Jinping. A White House official said the two agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and that Iran should not have nuclear weapons.