Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, called on BRICS+ nations to condemn the United States and Israel for what he described as violations of international law during a summit in New Delhi. He accused both countries of "illegal expansionism and warmongering" and urged the bloc to resist Western dominance. Araghchi also alleged that the United Arab Emirates was directly involved in military operations against Iran, a claim that heightened tensions between Tehran and Gulf states, despite their shared presence at the summit. The BRICS+ group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE.
In a separate development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced a new tiered internet access system allowing limited connectivity for approved individuals and organisations. The move comes amid an ongoing nationwide internet blackout. Pezeshkian established a new body to oversee cyberspace, appointing First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref to lead it. Digital rights groups warned the system could institutionalise selective access while maintaining broad censorship.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, pledged an additional $1.8bn in humanitarian aid to the United Nations. US Ambassador Mike Waltz said the funding supports efforts to promote transparency and reform within the UN. However, US humanitarian spending remains significantly lower than its peak of $17bn in fiscal year 2022.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned after losing her coalition's parliamentary majority over disputes involving suspected Ukrainian drone incursions into Latvian airspace. One drone crashed near a fuel storage site earlier in the month. Defence Minister Andris Spruds had already stepped down over the incident.
Morocco plans to add $2bn to its 2026 budget to mitigate economic fallout from the Middle East conflict and rising energy costs. Kenya raised fuel prices again due to disrupted global oil supplies. Nearly 20 million people in Sudan face acute hunger, with 135,000 in catastrophic conditions, according to a UN-backed report.
Iran demands BRICS+ reject Western dominance while accepting membership alongside US allies like Brazil and the UAE, exposing a contradiction in its stance. The country also pushes for open global trade routes while restricting internet access for its own citizens. Meanwhile, Morocco and Kenya face economic strain from energy disruptions despite having no role in the Middle East conflict. Ordinary citizens in Africa and Iran bear costs from decisions made far beyond their borders.
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