Brics is under strain as the Iran war exposes deep divisions

Brics is an intergovernmental organisation comprising major emerging economies—originally Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—that aims to foster economic cooperation, enhance geopolitical influence, and promote a multipolar world order. It was expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia, representing over 40 per cent of the world's population and roughly 37 per cent of global GDP. The group is expanding its influence by introducing "partner countries", including nations such as Belarus, Bolivia, Nigeria, and Thailand.

However, the ongoing conflict in Iran, involving US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation against regional targets, has created a significant "stress test" for the Brics alliance. The conflict has exposed sharp rifts which make it difficult for the expanded Brics to formulate a unified, consistent response to the crisis. In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, the well-known analyst Sadanand Dhume has characterised the Brics bloc as a "house of cards". The article suggests that the Brics bloc is fundamentally fragile due to deep internal divisions and an inability to act cohesively during international crises.

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Brics has not issued a joint statement regarding the ongoing US and Israeli attacks on Iran that began on February 28, 2026 – despite Iran being a member of the grouping. This silence marks a notable departure from the June 2025 escalation, where the bloc quickly condemned similar strikes as a "violation of international law". While Russia, Brazil and China have supported Iran and have condemned the US-Israeli attacks as unprovoked aggression, India has been forced into a delicate balancing act, highlighting the bloc’s ideological rift.

In this context, India's divergent stance is coming into sharp focus. While being the 2026 Brics chair, the Indian government has not formally condemned the joint US and Israeli military strikes on Iran. India's stance has been characterised by "strategic silence" and cautious neutrality, focusing on the safety of its citizens and regional stability rather than naming an aggressor. India has sought to minimise comment as it is navigating a challenging course between its historic ties to Iran on one hand and strong security relationships with Israel and the US on the other.

The Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab nations have also created a significant political crisis within the expanded Brics bloc, threatening its cohesion and exposing deep divisions among its members. These strikes are part of a broader regional retaliation by Iran and have resulted in significant civilian and infrastructure impact. Iran's targeting of the Gulf-Arab countries alongside US interests has forced the group into a state of paralysis, hindering its ability to act as a unified voice for the Global South. While remaining silent on the US-Israeli strikes against Iran, India has strongly condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab nations.

Massive and ongoing waves of missile and drone attacks launched by Iran have targeted fellow Brics member the UAE. Since the start of the conflict, the UAE has engaged approximately 278 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,540 UAVs. Officials report a roughly 90 per cent interception rate, though falling debris continues to cause damage in urban areas.

Both Dubai International (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International have faced multiple closures and flight cancellations due to drone incursions and missile threats. Debris from interceptions has caused fires and damage to high-profile sites, including Fairmont The Palm, the Burj Al Arab, and a residential tower in Dubai Marina. A drone strike on the Ruwais Industrial Complex forced ADNOC to shut down its refinery, which typically produces over 920,000 barrels of oil per day. Fires were reported at Jebel Ali Port and Fujairah oil storage tanks following aerial strikes.

Saudi Arabia's stance towards Brics has been described as "sitting on the fence", participating in meetings while holding off on formal membership. Riyadh has been carefully weighing the benefits of Brics membership against its critical relationship with the United States.

Despite not yet officially joining as a full member, Saudi Arabia had attended the 17th Brics Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in July 2025. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah led the Saudi delegation on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, participating as an invited country to the summit to discuss global development, climate issues, and pandemic response.

Saudi-Iran tensions have severely escalated following recent Iranian drone and missile strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure, desalination plants, and areas near the US Embassy in Riyadh. Iran has expanded its attacks to target Saudi Aramco facilities and critical civilian infrastructure, crossing "red lines" for Riyadh. Iranian drone and missile strikes have targeted critical energy infrastructure, including Saudi refineries and shipping routes, forcing the closure of regional airspace. In view of its escalating tensions with Iran, Saudi Arabia is likely to stay away from a full Brics membership, prioritising its relationship with the US.

Historically, Iran and Saudi Arabia have engaged in a proxy war over influence in the Middle East and other regions of the Muslim world. Iran sees itself as the leading Shia Muslim power, while Saudi Arabia is the leading Wahhabi Sunni power. The conflict is waged on multiple levels over geopolitical, economic, and sectarian influence in pursuit of regional hegemony. The two countries have provided varying degrees of support to opposing sides in nearby conflicts, including the civil wars in Syria and Yemen and disputes in Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar, and Iraq.

The rivalry is primarily a political and economic struggle exacerbated by religious differences. Sectarianism is exploited by both countries for geopolitical purposes as part of a larger conflict. Despite previous diplomatic breakthroughs, the current, intense attacks have led to harsh warnings from Saudi Arabia to Tehran regarding the future of their bilateral relationship.

Divisions stemming from other long-standing disputes among other Brics members have also impacted the group’s ability to act cohesively. Among them is the India-China border conflict. Tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and disputes over areas like Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh create significant friction. While both nations engage in trade and diplomatic talks, their mutual hostility frequently complicates regional cooperation and limits the capacity of unified action by Brics. Such deep-rooted rivalries mean that Brics is unable to function as a cohesive bloc, struggling to align foreign policy stances.

Summing up, the 2026 conflict involving Iran, a Brics member, has created a significant strain on the group's unity, highlighting deep geopolitical divides. While the bloc has expanded to include major Middle Eastern powers, the war has exposed deep internal divisions and structural limitations. It has paralysed the bloc’s ability to formulate a cohesive response.

The Brics grouping is at a critical juncture as it faces significant internal tensions which challenge its ability to function as a cohesive political unit, despite the expansion of its economic weight. The future of Brics as a leader of the Global South depends on whether it can move beyond "symbolic alignment" to functional crisis management.

(The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.)