Iran's Supreme National Security Council Deputy Secretary Ghadir Nezamipour on Tuesday, 23 June directly accused the United Arab Emirates of participating in military aggression against Iran and allowing its territory to be used as a launchpad for attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. The accusations were levelled at the 16th Meeting of Heads of Security Agencies and National Security Advisers of the BRICS countries in New Delhi.

What Nezamipour Said

Addressing the BRICS security conclave, Nezamipour rejected allegations previously made by a UAE official against Iran. In his remarks, he stated: 'The entire world witnessed that the United States and the Zionist regime were the initiators of the aggression and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Part of these attacks were launched from bases located on the territory of the United Arab Emirates. Nevertheless, instead of condemning these hostile actions, the UAE directly participated in the aggression and allowed its territory to be used as a platform for attacks against Iran's civilian infrastructure, schools, and hospitals.'

He urged the UAE to 'respect the principles of good neighbourliness and choose the path of peace, stability, and regional cooperation instead of engaging in propaganda and adventurism.'

Human Cost Highlighted

Nezamipour displayed an image of what he described as martyred students from Minab to draw participants' attention to the civilian toll of the conflict. According to a post on X by the Iranian Embassy in India: 'This poster depicts children who were killed on the first day of the aggression against Iran carried out by the United States.'

Backdrop: US-Iran Ceasefire and Nuclear Talks

The remarks follow a significant diplomatic development: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding remotely, ending nearly four months of conflict between the two nations. The agreement established a 60-day extension of the ceasefire to allow negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme and regional security issues to proceed.

This comes amid a broader fragility in West Asia — the Strait of Hormuz crisis having rattled global energy markets and tested the limits of regional alliances. The UAE's role, as alleged by Iran, adds a new layer of complexity to Gulf diplomatic calculations.

India Hosts BRICS Security Conclave

India is hosting the BRICS National Security Advisors' Meeting in New Delhi, bringing together senior security officials from member states to deliberate on evolving global security challenges and deepen strategic cooperation. The gathering provides a rare multilateral platform where competing geopolitical narratives — including those from Iran — receive direct airing before a diverse audience of major powers.

Notably, Iran's public accusation of the UAE at a BRICS forum underscores how the post-ceasefire diplomatic contest is already under way, even as the ink on the memorandum of understanding is barely dry. How BRICS member states respond — or choose not to — will signal the bloc's appetite for mediating West Asia tensions going forward.