Iran and UAE leaders meet at BRICS summit amid West Asia war

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Saturday, marking the first known face-to-face interaction between the leaders since the West Asia war began on February 28, 2026. The meeting was confirmed by both the Iranian embassy in India and the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments, emphasizing the need for greater efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further escalation in West Asia. They also discussed strengthening regional stability and creating conditions conducive to peace and development across the region.

The diplomatic engagement occurred as BRICS members overcame sharp divisions to adopt the New Delhi Declaration 2026. The joint statement expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and called for exercising maximum restraint, urging the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the United Nations Charter. The declaration also expressed serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and...