by Riaan Eksteen
(Emeritus ambassador and Research Associate, Department of Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa)
Copyright: @ 2026 Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 24 May 2026
Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies
The meeting could not produce a joint communiqué at the end of the conference due to internal discord over the conflict in Iran, resulting in India, as chair, issuing only a unilateral “chair’s statement”. A definitive indication that the schisms about the Iran conflict are intensifying.[ “BRICS talks end without joint statement, exposing divisions over war in Iran.” Channel News Asia, 15 May 2026. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/brics-talks-end-without-joint-statement-exposing-divisions-over-war-in-iran-6123646] As anticipated, Iran’s foreign minister called for member nations to denounce breaches of international law by the United States and Israel. ... Read more