Iran wins backing of BRICS allies over Israel, US strikes

Leaders attending the 17th annual BRICS summit pose for a group photo in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP)
Short Url
Updated 06 July 2025
Follow

Iran wins backing of BRICS allies over Israel, US strikes

  • The 11-nation grouping said the strikes “constituted a violation of international law”

RIO DE JANEIRO: Iran won the support of fellow BRICS nations meeting in Rio de Janeiro Sunday, with the bloc condemning recent Israel and US air strikes that hit military, nuclear and other targets.

“We condemn the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since 13 June 2025,” leaders said in a summit statement, without naming the United States or Israel.

“We further express serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities,” the bloc said.

The 11-nation grouping said the strikes “constitute a violation of international law.”

The declaration is a diplomatic victory for Tehran, which has received limited regional or global support after a 12-day bombing campaign by the Israeli military, which culminated in US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.

The BRICS gathering includes Israel’s arch foe Iran, but also nations like Russia and China, which have ties with Tehran.

BRICS diplomats had been in disagreement over how strongly to denounce Israel’s bombing of Iran and its actions in Gaza, but ultimately strengthened their language at Tehran’s request.


Lebanon foreign minister declines Tehran visit, proposes talks in neutral country

Updated 8 sec ago
Follow

Lebanon foreign minister declines Tehran visit, proposes talks in neutral country

Lebanon’s foreign minister Youssef Raji said on Wednesday he had declined an invitation to visit Tehran for now, proposing instead talks with Iran in a mutually agreed neutral third country, Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.
Raji cited “current conditions” for the decision not to go to Iran, without specifying further, and stressed that the move does not mean rejection of dialogue with Iran. Last week, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi invited Raji to visit Iran in the near future to discuss bilateral ties.