During a visit to New Delhi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is obstructing consensus within the BRICS grouping regarding the West Asia conflict. He emphasized that Iran is open to any peace initiatives from India, which currently chairs BRICS, and criticized the insistence of one member state on condemning Iran, which he believes undermines the group's unity. The upcoming BRICS conclave, which includes foreign ministers from member countries, is expected to discuss the ongoing US-Israel conflict and its implications for energy supplies. Gharibabadi also mentioned Iran's collaboration with Oman to establish a service-and-payment framework for merchant vessels navigating the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. He asserted that Iran has allowed several Indian vessels to transit through the strait and is willing to permit more. The BRICS group, which has expanded to include countries like Iran and the UAE, now represents about 49.5% of the global population and 40% of global GDP.