International
-Prakash KL
Iran used a BRICS security meeting in New Delhi to directly accuse the United Arab Emirates of enabling and participating in strikes against Iranian territory, raising a sharp diplomatic dispute inside a forum meant to discuss wider security coordination among member countries.
The allegation was made by Ghadir Nezamipour, Deputy Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, during the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers on June 23. According to a post by the Iranian Embassy in India on X, Nezamipour rejected accusations made by the UAE representative and accused Abu Dhabi of allowing its territory to be used for attacks on Iran.
At the June 23 BRICS security meeting in New Delhi, Iran accused the UAE of enabling and directly participating in strikes against Iranian territory, alleging that attacks were launched from bases on Emirati soil.
The UAE’s official response to the Iranian charge was not immediately available in the material released by the Iranian side. The allegation is significant because it links a Gulf state directly to military action that Tehran says targeted civilian infrastructure during the latest escalation involving the US, Israel and Iran.
Iran accuses UAE at BRICS security forum
In its post, the Iranian Embassy said Nezamipour told the BRICS security gathering that the United States and Israel were responsible for starting the latest crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. He then widened the charge to include the UAE, alleging that attacks were launched from bases on Emirati territory.
“The entire world witnessed that the United States and the Zionist regime were the initiators of the aggression and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Part of these attacks were launched from bases located on the territory of the United Arab Emirates,” Nezamipour was quoted as saying by the embassy.
He further alleged that the UAE did not merely permit the use of its territory but “directly participated in the aggression”. The Iranian official claimed that Iran’s civilian infrastructure, schools and hospitals were among the targets. These claims have not been independently verified from the information available.
Nezamipour also appealed to the UAE to change course, saying Tehran hoped Abu Dhabi would avoid “propaganda and adventurism” and respect “the principles of good neighbourliness”. The remarks suggest that Iran is attempting to frame the issue not only as a military dispute but also as a breach of regional conduct between neighbouring states.
Why the Strait of Hormuz matters
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. A large share of global seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas trade moves through this narrow passage, making any conflict in the area a concern for energy markets and shipping security.
Iran has often used the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic reference point during periods of confrontation with the US and its regional allies. Gulf states, including the UAE, are also deeply exposed to any disruption in the waterway because their trade, ports and energy flows depend on stability across the Gulf.
The latest Iranian remarks therefore carry implications beyond bilateral ties with the UAE. By raising the allegation at a BRICS security forum, Tehran placed the dispute before a group that includes major energy consumers, emerging economies and countries seeking a larger role in shaping global security discussions.
India’s hosting of the meeting also added diplomatic weight to the setting. New Delhi has long balanced ties with Gulf countries, Iran, Israel and the United States. It has major energy, trade and diaspora interests across West Asia, and any escalation in the region can affect Indian citizens, shipping routes and fuel supply calculations.
Human cost highlighted during meeting
According to the Iranian Embassy, Nezamipour displayed an image of students from Minab who were reportedly killed during the opening days of the conflict. The embassy quoted him as saying that the poster showed children killed on the first day of what Iran described as US-led aggression.
The use of such imagery appeared aimed at shifting the discussion from military positioning to civilian harm. Iran has repeatedly argued that strikes against its territory have affected non-combatants and public infrastructure. However, the exact circumstances of the deaths mentioned by Nezamipour were not detailed in the embassy’s post.
The accusation comes as efforts are being made to reduce hostilities in West Asia. The reference material said the remarks followed an initial round of technical talks linked to a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities between the US and Iran. Both sides were said to have agreed to form a High-Level Committee and work towards a final agreement within 60 days.
If that process moves forward, the UAE allegation could become a complicating factor. Iran may seek assurances about the future use of military facilities in the Gulf, while the US and its partners may resist any demand that limits their regional posture. For Gulf governments, the challenge is to avoid becoming the centre of a broader confrontation.
The New Delhi exchange shows how the West Asia crisis is spilling into multilateral forums beyond the region. Iran’s public accusation against the UAE has added a new diplomatic layer to an already fragile security environment, even as talks continue on a possible roadmap to reduce hostilities.
With inputs from agencies
