New Delhi, India – September 12: (—-Editorial Use Only – Credit Required – “Iranian Presidential Office/Handout” – No Marketing, No Advertising Campaigns – Distributed as a Service to Clients—-) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meets with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Bin. Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participates in the 18th BRICS Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, September 12, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Iranian Presidential Office/Handout/Anadolu, via Getty Images)
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Iran and the United Arab Emirates on Saturday signed a joint statement by the BRICS nations calling for restraint from wars in the Middle East, a move seen as a sign of diplomatic progress between the war-torn countries.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on the first day of the New Delhi summit, the highest-level meeting between countries since the outbreak of the conflict.
The two leaders discussed regional and international issues, de-escalation, stability and efforts to promote peace and development in the region, the Abu Dhabi Press Agency told X News Agency, but did not mention any resolutions from the talks.
The BRICS summit is a test of the diplomatic influence of the bloc, which was created in 2009 to challenge the world order dominated by the United States and its Western allies. Initially comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, it has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, as well as Iran and the UAE.
Summit organizers and diplomats have focused on bridging the gap between Iran and the UAE as the United States and Iran resume retaliatory attacks in the six-month war.
Iran has repeatedly attacked the UAE during the conflict, most recently in late August targeting Al Minhad Air Base, where US troops and helicopters are stationed.
“We express deep concern at the continued rise in tensions in the Middle East and West Asia and call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and avoid actions that may further worsen the situation,” the BRICS joint declaration reads.
They called for the protection of civilians, urged respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stressed the need to protect global trade, supply chains, energy flows and maritime security.
Summit ‘continues to have difficult conversations’
Foreign policy experts said a key test for the region would be finding language acceptable to both Abu Dhabi and Iran on the Middle East crisis, paving the way for a joint declaration.
While such a joint statement is unlikely to have an impact on the current geopolitical situation, it would demonstrate solidarity by grouping emerging countries together, they said.
The Iranian embassy in India posted a photo of a meeting between the president and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country’s president’s eldest son and successor.
However, nothing is said about what they discussed.
Sunjay Sudhir, a former Indian ambassador to the UAE, told Reuters: “The key to ending the war lies with the United States and Israel.”
“What India has done is keep a difficult dialogue going by showing that countries in the region can sit at the same table, engage diplomatically and build on where interests align.”
PM Modi says BRICS countries have matured
Opening the conference, host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the bloc has matured and the time has come to translate its unity and consensus into concrete results on the world stage.
The BRICS bloc seeks to raise its profile by influencing international rules and demanding reforms to institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization, which some members see as dominated by Western nations.
The summit will be attended by Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the BRICS countries should steer the international order toward greater fairness and justice and stand firmly on the right side of history.
Xi also said that China is ready to play its “natural role” in achieving peace and stability in the Middle East.
“The parties involved must remain committed to a political solution and work towards a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire,” he said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
New Delhi, which has strong ties with the United States, Russia, Israel, Iran and Gulf Arab states, has been working on a diplomatic balancing act, with Prime Minister Modi encouraging BRICS members to increase trade cooperation, reduce barriers and expand business opportunities.
