BRICS leaders urge protection of nuclear facilities and denounce unilateral sanctions in India

NEW DELHI — The BRICS group of emerging economies on Saturday expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East and condemned the use of sanctions not authorized by the U.N., as the leaders met in New Delhi to strengthen their position in global affairs seen as dominated by the West. The meeting, which included Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, voiced concern over “deliberate attacks” on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under the U.N. atomic energy agency's safeguards, saying nuclear safety and security must be protected during armed conflicts. The statement was seen as indirect criticism of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The leaders also took aim at unilateral sanctions not authorized by the U.N. Security Council. They did not name any countries, but Russia, one of the founding members of BRICS, has faced Western sanctions following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. “We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures, which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the U.N. Charter,”

The meeting, which included Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, voiced concern over "deliberate attacks" on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under the U.N. atomic energy agency's safeguards.