Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting as tensions continue across West Asia following the Iran-US-Israel conflict.
According to the Iranian Embassy in India, Araghchi will participate in discussions focused on regional security, economic cooperation, energy stability and geopolitical developments among BRICS nations. During the visit, he is also expected to hold talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The visit comes at a sensitive time as Iran reportedly intensifies preparations for the funeral ceremonies of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Regional reports claimed that Iranian authorities are making large scale crowd control and security arrangements in anticipation of millions of mourners attending ceremonies in Tehran and other cities.
Reports earlier this year stated that Khamenei was killed during the Iran conflict following joint US-Israeli strikes, leading to a major leadership transition in Iran. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was later elevated as Iran’s new Supreme Leader according to multiple international reports.
The ongoing crisis has significantly affected global oil markets and shipping routes, especially around the Strait of Hormuz. Energy analysts warned that disruptions in Gulf shipping have sharply reduced Middle East oil supplies reaching Europe.
Several airlines had suspended regional operations during the conflict, though some carriers have now begun gradually restoring services after a fragile ceasefire.
India’s hosting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting is being viewed as strategically important, especially as New Delhi prepares to host the larger BRICS Summit later this year. Araghchi’s Delhi visit is also seen as part of Iran’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with key partners during a period of regional uncertainty.
