India in spotlight as Iran urges BRICS to act amid deep divisions over US-Israel conflict

During a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly called for immediate intervention, stressing that hostilities must cease for diplomacy to resume.

He framed BRICS as a potential counterbalance to western influence and said the bloc must act decisively to stop what he described as aggression by the US and Israel.

Pezeshkian also proposed a regional security framework led by West Asian nations without foreign interference and reiterated Iran’s willingness to engage in nuclear oversight talks.

At the same time, he accused the US and Israel of triggering the conflict through strikes carried out during sensitive nuclear negotiations, which he said caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

The appeal has placed BRICS, currently chaired by India, in a difficult position. Deep divisions within the grouping have already emerged, with member countries holding differing strategic alignments and stakes in the conflict.

For Narendra Modi, the challenge lies in balancing calls for peace and stability with the need to maintain diplomatic neutrality and safeguard critical energy routes, while avoiding the perception of BRICS as an anti-Western bloc.

On the ground, tensions continue to escalate. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has signaled plans to intensify military operations against Iran, even as US President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals about Washington’s next steps, hinting at both de-escalation and a continued military presence in the region.

The conflict has already caused significant casualties, disrupted vital oil and gas infrastructure, and displaced millions, raising fears of a prolonged humanitarian and economic crisis.

Russia has also weighed in, condemning strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as a violation of international law and warning of potentially catastrophic consequences.

Iran’s call has effectively turned the spotlight on BRICS’ ability to act as a unified geopolitical force.

Whether the bloc can move beyond internal differences and shape the course of the crisis may determine not only the trajectory of the conflict but also its own credibility on the global stage.