A Loose Band of Emerging Powers Is Divided Over Iran After India Shift
Monday at 9: 14 a. m. ET — Nearly a week into the United States-Israel war on Iran, the BRICS bloc has not issued a collective response, and India’s new chairmanship is cited for the group’s restraint. The timing matters because the chair shifted to India in December 2025, creating a different set of national priorities.
BRICS’ Silence on Operation Epic Fury
The organisation itself, under Indian leadership in 2026, has not commented directly about the United States-Israel Operation Epic Fury in Iran, which has seen multiple missile and drone attacks across the country. The strikes killed more than 1, 230 people in the first six days, and Iran is a member of the expanded 11-country BRICS grouping.
A Shift Under India’s Chairmanship
Since India took over as chair, the normally outspoken BRICS grouping of countries appears to be more cautious, and New Delhi’s interests are described as weighing against an alliance-wide statement. Critics point to India’s signalling of closer ties with Israel and the US and to its decision to opt out of joint naval drills hosted by South Africa in January this year as signs the chair’s priorities are reshaping BRICS’ public posture.
Founding Members’ Responses and the June 12-Day Precedent
Individually, three of BRICS’ five founding members have issued statements commiserating with Iranians and denouncing violations of international law, even while the bloc remains silent. When the 12-day war between Israel and Iran broke out in June last year, and Brazil chaired the group, BRICS was quick to call US-Israeli joint attacks a “violation of international law, ” highlighting a contrast with the current collective response. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa voiced concern, urged a ceasefire and offered to mediate, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin criticised the joint attacks and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes on Saturday in a letter to President Masoud Pezeshkian; Moscow has not indicated any willingness to intervene militarily on Iran’s behalf.
No next confirmed milestone, meeting or deadline is listed in the available reporting.
