The Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran: One BRICS member state obstructed consensus.
According to Indian media reports, on May 13 local time, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibabadi stated that Iran welcomes any initiatives proposed by major powers such as India for establishing peace in West Asia. He further added that one of the BRICS member states has hindered the organization from reaching a consensus on the current regional conflict.
Garibabadi’s remarks sent ripples through the BRICS bloc, like a stone dropped into still water. He bluntly said that during this sensitive moment of regional tensions, a certain member country’s insistence on calling for condemnation of Iran has become a “roadblock” to achieving unified positions within the group. “This is not a scenario we wish to see,” he said, his brow furrowed and tone clearly conveying dissatisfaction. When asked to identify the specific country, he refrained from naming it directly but emphasized: “We have never initiated attacks against our neighbors. It is certain countries that have handed over their territories to the United States, thereby providing justification for our response.”
In elaborating on this stance, Garibabadi also revealed Iran’s latest move: Tehran is developing a new service and payment framework for merchant vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international norms. The safety of shipping through this global energy lifeline has long been a source of regional concern. Iran’s initiative is evidently aimed at strengthening its influence over this critical maritime route, while simultaneously sending a message to the international community—despite being at the eye of the geopolitical storm, Iran remains committed to maintaining stability in regional trade.
Garibabadi, currently in New Delhi, is speaking at a time when India holds the rotating presidency of BRICS. His words carry both hope for India and an undercurrent of concern about the risk of fragmentation within the bloc: “We sincerely hope India can drive success for the BRICS. Exposing divisions among members to the world would be far from wise.” He sharply pointed out that one country’s insistence on condemning Iran stands in stark contrast to Iran’s own refusal to call for condemnation of Arab nations that allow U.S. military bases. “Our response targets those ‘weak points’ that open doors to external forces—not innocent neighboring countries.”
This contest over BRICS’ position reflects the intricate power struggles across the Middle East. Garibabadi’s statement serves both as Iran’s defense of its actions and as a revealing glimpse into the irreconcilable differences within BRICS on issues related to regional conflicts. As merchant ships continue to traverse the Strait of Hormuz and BRICS flags flutter at summit venues, a sharp question remains unanswered: Can this emerging economic alliance maintain unity amid waves of regional instability?
Is the path toward consensus in BRICS being blocked by hidden reefs of geopolitical rivalry? Whose hands truly hold the key to regional peace? We welcome your insights in the comments section.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865227411514499/
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