Iran War Exposes Deep BRICS Divisions, Threatening Global South Unity

• The ongoing Iran war, involving US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation, has become a critical "stress test" for the expanded BRICS alliance, exposing deep internal divisions.
• Despite Iran being a member, BRICS has failed to issue a unified statement condemning US-Israeli attacks, a stark contrast to previous condemnations.
• India, as the 2026 BRICS chair, maintains "strategic silence" on US-Israeli strikes due to its complex ties with Iran, US, and Israel, while condemning Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab nations.
• Iran's missile and drone attacks on fellow BRICS member UAE and other Gulf Arab nations have further paralyzed the bloc, hindering its ability to act as a unified voice.
• Saudi Arabia remains hesitant about full BRICS membership, prioritizing its relationship with the US amid escalating tensions with Iran and the bloc's internal rifts.