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Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) leaders have called for maximum restraint in the Middle East, expressing concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the region.
The 11-member grouping issued the joint statement on Saturday during its summit in New Delhi, with China, Russia, Iran and India among the participating countries.
The leaders urged countries to avoid actions that could further worsen the situation and called for greater international efforts to promote peace and security.
“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation,” said the statement.
The statement also condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities operating under safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
BRICS leaders said international law and relevant IAEA resolutions prohibit such attacks and stressed that nuclear safeguards, safety and security must be maintained even during armed conflicts to protect people and the environment.
“We express serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the IAEA,” it said.
“Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm.”
The statement followed intense diplomatic efforts by host India to secure agreement among member states.
BRICS foreign ministers failed to reach a joint statement when they met in New Delhi in May, with Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates divided over the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the opening of the two-day summit on Saturday, said the Middle East war did not serve the common interests of the international community, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are attending the summit.
The BRICS Summit has opened in New Delhi, with leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, arriving for the first session. pic.twitter.com/wHnKrnlbOE
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) September 12, 2026
The BRICS leaders also acknowledged growing global polarisation and distrust, calling for collective efforts to strengthen international peace and security.
They further stressed the importance of maintaining the smooth movement of global trade, supply chains and energy in line with international law.
“We note the current global context of polarisation and distrust and encourage global action to strengthen international peace and security,” the joint statement read.
“We stress the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with applicable international law,” it added.
BRICS was established in 2009 as a platform for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in international institutions traditionally dominated by Western powers.
United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are also attending the summit in New Delhi.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is expected to join the meeting later on Saturday.
