New Delhi: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has urged member states of BRICS — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — to intervene in the Israel-Hamas conflict and demanded that the “dire situation in Gaza” be put on the bloc’s agenda. This came as Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart held a phone call during which the latter called for a ceasefire in the conflict.
On Sunday, the Iranian foreign ministry issued a statement announcing that letters had been sent to the foreign ministers of BRICS countries.
“Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister of our country, in separate letters to the foreign ministers of the five BRICS member states…called for active, constructive and responsible intervention of the member states of in order to stop attacks in the Gaza Strip, stop crimes against humanity and hold occupying aggressors accountable,” read the statement.
On the same day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise visit to Iraq aimed at containing the fallout from the Israel-Hamas conflict and deterring Iran and its proxies in the region.
Ten days ago, India had abstained from voting on a resolution in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly since it did not condemn Hamas. Over 40 member states — including all of India’s fellow BRICS members — co-sponsored the resolution that called for a “sustained humanitarian truce” and halting of fighting in the Gaza Strip.
Apart from BRICS, the Iranian foreign minister has also written to Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) head Zhang Ming, demanding a statement from the bloc calling for a halt to the attacks in the Gaza Strip.
This July, Iran became the newest member of SCO — a group also comprising China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
It is also due to become a BRICS member in January 2024.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has claimed the lives of nearly 10,000 people in Gaza and over 1,400 Israelis. There are also about 200 Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas.
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BRICS an important ‘post-Western alliance’
In his letter, the Iranian foreign minister described BRICS as a critical “post-Western alliance” like the SCO and ASEAN. He “demanded that these organisations put the dire situation in Gaza on their urgent agenda”.
On the same day, Amir-Abdollahian and Jaishankar held a phone call where they discussed the importance of preventing escalation in the conflict and providing humanitarian support.
Spoke today with Iranian Foreign Minister @Amirabdolahian.
Discussed the grave situation in West Asia and the concern of the international community.
Conveyed the importance of preventing escalation and providing humanitarian support.
Agreed to stay in touch.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 5, 2023
During the call, Amir-Abdollahian said that there were “expectations” of India and other countries in the region to take initiatives towards establishing a ceasefire, read a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry.
“In this phone call, the (Iranian) Foreign Minister stated that India is expected to take initiatives with other countries in the region and the world within the framework of stabilising the ceasefire, sending large-scale humanitarian aid to the oppressed Palestinian people in Gaza…,” read the statement.
The Iranian foreign minister also warned that the conflict could open up “new fronts” by resistance forces, resulting in an increase and widening of conflicts in the region.
The two ministers also briefly discussed the Chabahar Port project, which has faced snags since 2019 owing to deteriorating US-Iran bilateral relations and sanctions imposed on Tehran by the Trump administration.
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)
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