Iran backs Indian push to end West Asia war, BRICS talks loom
Iran backs Indian push to end West Asia war, BRICS talks loom
Iran signals support for India's effort to end the West Asia conflict ahead of BRICS talks, while outlining shipping fee plans for Hormuz.
Iran said it will welcome any Indian initiative to end the war in West Asia and to ensure security and stability in the region, a stance voiced by deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi ahead of a BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi. He stressed that Tehran is ready for either talks with the United States that lead to the termination of hostilities or renewed negotiations, and that India and other developing countries should do their part to prevent a resumption of war. He also noted that one BRICS member is delaying consensus on finalising a joint declaration.
With nearly a dozen Indian-flagged ships still located to the west of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran says it is finalising protocols and arrangements for fees that vessels will have to pay to use the waterway. Tehran emphasised that these charges are not a toll, but reflect services provided by Iran and Oman as coastal states. The Strait has been effectively closed by Iran since the start of the West Asia conflict on February 28, affecting regional shipping and security.
Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, arrived in New Delhi to participate in the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting scheduled for May 14–15 and will hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The talks come as Tehran signals openness to efforts that could bring peace, while warning that insecurity and instability would have negative consequences for Iran and the wider region.
