Brics Leaders Condemn Iran Attacks and Tariffs Without Naming US or Israel

Brics Leaders Condemn Violence in the Middle East and Address Global Concerns

Brics leaders, during their summit in Rio de Janeiro, issued a final statement that emphasized the need to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East. The declaration called for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories and highlighted concerns over recent bombing campaigns against Iran. While the document criticized these actions as violations of international law and deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, it avoided direct references to the United States and Israel.

The joint declaration was released amid rising tensions, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose 100% tariffs on imports from Brics countries. This context underscores an effort by the member nations to express their positions without provoking the “America First” leader while negotiating trade deals with Washington. The statement also condemned the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures that distort trade and conflict with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

The declaration was issued early in the summit, with more statements expected before its conclusion on Monday. These will focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare cooperation, and climate finance strategies, according to a Brazilian diplomat involved in the negotiations.

Focus on Iran and Regional Peace

The statement echoes previous Brics declarations, where the group expressed “grave concern” over attacks on Iran and stressed the urgent need to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East. Despite Iran’s push for stronger language and refusal to recognize Israel’s sovereignty, the declaration calls for a mediated peace through a two-state solution on Palestine.

The text also emphasizes the importance of upholding nuclear safeguards, safety, and security, particularly in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment. It urges the United Nations Security Council to address the situation effectively.

Iranian negotiators had previously demanded tougher wording on Washington, which launched military strikes on their nuclear facilities last month, and wanted the bloc to brand the attacks as “deplorable.” However, they faced challenges during discussions led by Brics Sherpas earlier in the week.

Criticism of Israel and Calls for Withdrawal

Israel was directly criticized in the 31-page document for its occupation of Palestinian territory. Members urged Tel Aviv to withdraw its forces from Syrian territory without delay. Israeli forces have held the Golan Heights since the 1967 war and formally annexed the region in 1981, a move only recognized by the United States under President Trump in 2019.

While the bloc criticized Israel and the U.S. indirectly, it avoided any mention of responsibility for the war in Ukraine, maintaining a consistent stance since Russia’s invasion in 2022. The document repeats nearly word-for-word a paragraph from previous declarations, recalling national positions on the conflict in Ukraine as expressed in appropriate forums, including the UN Security Council and General Assembly.

This year, however, the declaration introduced new initiatives to mediate the conflict, notably the Group of Friends for Peace, led by Brazil and China. This group aims to negotiate a diplomatic solution that leads to a sustainable peace settlement, drawing from Beijing’s 12-point proposal to end the war. The initiative calls for freezing the conflict along current battle lines and allowing humanitarian aid into affected regions, without demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from annexed territories.

Condemnation of Terror Attack in Kashmir

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi could take pride in the condemnation of the terror attack in Kashmir, which killed 26 people in April. The statement denounced the attack in “the strongest terms,” reaffirming Brics’ commitment to combating terrorism in all forms, including cross-border movement, terror financing, and safe havens. India had previously declined to sign a China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization declaration for failing to mention the attack.

Insights from Analysts

Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, noted that the Brics summit included messaging that Iran would rather avoid. He cited three main reasons: the overriding concern of antagonizing Trump, the absence of Chinese and Russian leaders, and confidence that Iran will not abandon Brics.

Kugelman emphasized that avoiding upsetting Trump was a chief priority at the summit, given his tariff threats. He pointed out that Brics leaders are cautious about what comes out of the summit, especially with Trump potentially watching. The absence of Chinese and Russian leaders made it easier for Brics leaders to tone down any messaging perceived as critical of U.S. policies in the Middle East.

Lula’s Strong Stance

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva did not hold back in his opening speech, warning that Brics cannot remain indifferent to the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza. He criticized the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians and the use of famine as a weapon of war. Lula also addressed Trump’s demand for NATO members to boost defense spending, arguing that it seems easier to allocate 5% of GDP to military spending than to commit the 0.7% promised for official development assistance.

Lula’s comments refer to a decades-old UN target, proposed in 1970, for wealthy countries to direct at least 0.7% of GDP to aid poorer nations. Only a few developed countries have met this goal, with Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Germany being the exceptions.

At the New Development Bank’s annual meeting, Lula accused the United Nations of paralysis, claiming Security Council meetings reproduce a script with predictable outcomes. He argued that the council is now “not even consulted before the start of military actions” and has become a stage for old rhetorical maneuvers to justify illegal interventions.