After Escalation Between Iran and Israel, BRICS Calls for Immediate End to Spiral of Violence
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BRICS, a group that includes ten of the most prominent emerging economies, has called for breaking the escalating cycle of violence in the Middle East following Israeli and American attacks on Iran, a member of the group.
This came in a joint statement issued by Brazil, which holds the rotating presidency of the group.
The BRICS countries _Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE_ affirmed their condemnation of any attack targeting nuclear facilities, considering such assaults a violation of international law and the resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency. They called for maintaining the safety and security of nuclear facilities, even during armed conflicts, to protect civilians and the environment.
The group called for making the Middle East a zone free of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction, emphasizing the importance of restoring peace and de-escalation.
The BRICS statement coincided with the implementation of a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel after 12 days of intense fighting.
US President Donald Trump announced the agreement, warning Israel against violating it and urging them not to "drop bombs" on Iran, noting that continued strikes would constitute a significant breach of the ceasefire, despite acknowledging that the two parties do not seem cohesive in their decisions.
Israel agreed to the US proposal after stating that it had achieved its military objectives in its operation, which began on June 13 with the stated goal of eliminating the Iranian nuclear program.
On the other hand, Iranian President Masoud Bazshkian affirmed Tehran's full commitment to the ceasefire, emphasizing that Iran will not violate the agreement unless Israel does so.
The confrontations, which lasted for about two weeks, included intense Israeli strikes targeting military sites, nuclear facilities, missile platforms, as well as assassinations of Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists.
Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at targets inside Israel, affirming that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, denying any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
Amidst this escalation, the BRICS group emphasized the need for all parties to exercise restraint, calling on the international community to act to protect regional and international peace and prevent the situation from deteriorating into a broader confrontation.
