TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut, in his remarks at the 17th BRICS Summit, strongly condemned the recent attacks by Israeli-US forces on Iran, describing it as a blatant violation of the UN Charter and an illegal act of attack.
On Sunday, Araguchi said: “The Israeli regime’s attacks, fully supported by the US, constitute a serious violation of international law. More than 6,000 civilians have been killed or injured, and Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure have been significantly damaged.”
The Foreign Minister emphasized that there is no legal justification under international law to target nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, and warned that such actions would undermine the entire non-proliferation regime.
Araguchi welcomed the resilience of the Iranian people and he forced the invaders to stop attacking, he said. He reiterated that the Islamic Republic will continue to defend its sovereignty and national interests with full determination.
In pursuit of urgent international accountability, Araguchi added: “The international community must end the immunity of the Israeli regime and hold both the administration and the United States responsible for their crimes and repeated violations of international law.”
In conclusion, the Iranian Foreign Minister called on BRICS member states to play a more active role in promoting multilateralism and a fair international order. “BRICS must advocate for its role as a defender of international law and as a collective voice for the Global South,” he said.
The 17th BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, opened in Rio de Janeiro under the theme of “Strengthening Global Southern Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” The rally brings together leaders from 11 member states and strategic partner countries to gather high-level debate on global economic reform, collective security and cooperation between emerging powers.
Araguchi was officially welcomed by the Brazilian President at the Rio de Janeiro summit, and was seen in temporary consultation with his Brazilian counterpart ahead of the opening session.
This year’s summit, chaired by Brazil, will be embraced at a pivotal moment from July 6th to 7th as BRICS BLOC strengthens its campaign for a more balanced international system and greater autonomy for an emerging economy.
The summit has also been overshadowed by growing dissatisfaction with unilateral US trade policy, particularly the tariff system promoted by US President Donald Trump.
Founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, South Africa joined in 2010, BRICS is now a bloc of all 11 member states that had a major expansion in 2024.
Today, the group accounts for almost half the world’s population, 36% of the Earth’s land and about 25% of the world’s GDP.
Throughout the two-day summit, leaders discuss pressing issues such as global trade justice, international organizational reform, artificial intelligence governance, climate change, and global public health. The summit also serves as a platform for Member States to advocate for a more balanced and comprehensive global order, and is independent of Western-controlled systems.
The summit is just days before the scheduled announcement by Washington about the hike of the new tariffs, which is scheduled to take effect on July 9th.