Iran's Parliament Speaker Pulls Out of Brics Forum in New Delhi

Iranian parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf will not travel to New Delhi for the Brics parliamentary forum, according to a statement from Iran's embassy in India. The embassy cited "certain unforeseen circumstances" as the reason, without giving further detail.

Qalibaf had been expected at the Meeting of Speakers of the parliaments of Brics member countries, which formed part of the 12th Brics Parliamentary Forum. The embassy published its announcement on X on 24 October 2026.

Despite the speaker's absence, Tehran will still be represented. The embassy said a parliamentary delegation from the Islamic Republic would take part in the meeting in his place.

The statement also stressed Iran's wider commitment to the bloc. As a Brics member, it said, Iran "reaffirms its commitment to active and effective participation at the highest levels in the summits and meetings of this grouping."

According to the embassy, the Iranian delegation will carry on talks and consultations with delegations from other Brics countries. The aim is to broaden and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on parliamentary relations.

The embassy also thanked the Indian government for its hospitality and for the arrangements made to host the gathering. It wished the meeting every success and said it hoped the event would produce constructive outcomes that strengthen cooperation and engagement among member states.

The statement did not explain what the unforeseen circumstances were, and it did not say whether Qalibaf might join any later Brics events. For now, the embassy's message points to Iranian participation at the delegation level rather than at the level of the speaker himself.