On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit. The meeting took place against a backdrop of ongoing hostilities in West Asia, including recent Iranian strikes on United Arab Emirates military installations. Both leaders discussed regional tensions and voiced support for de‑escalation. The talks were held as the BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which expressed deep concern about West Asian conflicts but avoided naming specific parties such as the United States.
During the discussion, the crown prince and the Iranian president reviewed a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest. They emphasized the need to support efforts to ease tensions, promote de‑escalation, and strengthen stability, while advancing peace and development for the peoples of the region. Iranian state media IRNA reported that the meeting followed Iran’s consistent calls to strengthen ties with its southern neighbours. President Pezeshkian also said that West Asia does not require a United States “regional policeman” and that the region’s territorial integrity can only be guaranteed by its main players and member states.
The New Delhi Declaration, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighted deep concern over the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, calling for a just and lasting solution to the Israel‑Palestine conflict and for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. It also condemned attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and urged Israel to respect humanitarian aid and withdraw forces from Lebanese territories. The declaration underscored the importance of smooth global trade, supply chains and energy flows under international law. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud arrived later that evening, adding to the summit’s focus on regional security and the condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory.
