The BRICS group of countries – a bloc of emerging economies that includes Brazil, China, India, South Africa and Russia – has expressed “grave concern” over the recent Israeli and US strikes against Iran, describing them as a “violation of international law” and the UN Charter, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement issued after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel took effect, the BRICS group criticised the attacks on Iran’s “peaceful nuclear installations”, which it said were carried out in violation of international law and regulations of the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.

The bloc urged the warring parties to return to diplomacy, “with a view to de-escalating the situation and resolving their differences through peaceful means”.

BRICS, which also includes Iran and the UAE, said there is a “need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace” through dialogue.