NEW DELHI

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday that it was “essential” for the BRICS bloc to play its role in maintaining regional and global stability amid tensions in the Middle East.

He made the remarks during a phone call with Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar, according to a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

India currently chairs the 11-member bloc of emerging economies, which also includes China, South Africa, Russia, and the UAE.

“Highlighting the importance and position of BRICS as a forum for developing multilateral cooperation,” the statement said, Araghchi deemed it “essential for the institution to play a constructive role at the current juncture in supporting regional and global stability and security.”

Araghchi also stressed the “necessity” for regional and international bodies and organizations to “condemn the military aggression against Iran” amid the conflict with the US and Israel.

The Thursday night call was the fourth such conversation since the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran that has killed more than 1,300 people, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The Iranian foreign minister briefed Jaishankar on the latest situation resulting from the acts of “aggression and atrocities committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, as well as the consequences for regional and global stability and security,” the statement said.

Jaishankar made a brief statement about his conversation with his Iranian counterpart.

“Discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS related issues,” he said on the US social media company X.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday, expressing “deep concern” about Middle East tensions.

Following the US-Israel joint attack, Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.