BRICS has become not only a venue for the official expression of Iran’s position on foreign policy issues, but has also allowed for taking practical steps towards reducing tensions in its relations with the countries that are, to one extent or another, involved in the conflict most relevant to Iran at present
Politics and Geopolitics
At the political level, the BRICS summit held in India in September 2026 provided Iran with an opportunity to present its interpretation of recent regional developments, in particular and especially Tehran’s official vision of the ongoing US and Israeli military campaign against Iran. Thus, Iranian President M. Pezeshkian, addressing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Israel’s policies in the region more broadly, noted that BRICS must become a “voice of justice” for Palestine and play an effective role in halting aggression against the Palestinian people by Israel, as well as advocate for the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. Regarding the US-Israeli war against Iran and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, M. Pezeshkian, in an exclusive interview with India Today, emphasized that BRICS as a venue and platform “allows Iran to open up a closed route” (through the Strait of Hormuz — ed.), which does matter because it is exactly maritime routes which make it possible for Teheran to improve trade and interaction with neighbors.
However, the most important thesis was voiced at the bilateral meeting between Masoud Pezeshkian and one of those very “neighbors,” UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on the sidelines of the summit. The Iranian president emphasized that Iran has no “problems with the UAE and other Persian Gulf states” (whom he called Tehran’s “brothers”); the “problem” lies solely with the American bases located on their territories and used for attacks against Iran. Moreover, the joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the XVIII summit, signed by all member states, including the UAE, contains a call for “maximum restraint” in conducting the conflict in the Middle East and for consolidating efforts to combat attacks on civilian and peaceful nuclear infrastructure.
This meeting between representatives of Iran and the UAE, who found themselves “on opposite sides of the barricades” within the conflict, became the first official contact since the outset of the war against Iran in February 2026 and is a particularly vivid illustration of the recognition of Iran’s official vision.
Thus, BRICS has become not only a venue for the official expression of Iran’s position on foreign policy issues important to it (both in the form of official statements at summit sessions and within bilateral meetings, and in the form of provisions in the summit’s final documents), but has also provided an opportunity to undertake practical steps towards reducing tensions in relations with the countries that are, to one extent or another, involved in the conflict most relevant to Iran at present.
Technology, Culture, and Science
In another dimension, Iran has expanded its presence in the cultural, academic, think-tank, economic, and specialized fields of BRICS.
These forms of cooperation have recently been highlighted within the framework of BRICS 2026 in areas such as culture, civilization, science, people-to-people relations, and the use of judicial and legal diplomacy in response to threats; the protection of the rights of Iranians; and more effective efforts to combat transnational crimes and organized transnational crime.
At a time when Iran’s recent national law on the development of artificial intelligence, the establishment of the National Organization for Artificial Intelligence, and the Secretariat of the National Steering Council are creating a new path for the development of this technology in the country.
Cooperation in the fields of technology, artificial intelligence, and scientific and academic cooperation is among the areas in which Iran can achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Given the growing importance of food security, BRICS, through initiatives such as the Grain Exchange, can contribute to Iran’s food security.
Tehran also wants to play the role of a strategic partner in the food-security supply chains of BRICS.
Economic diplomacy
In its foreign policy, Iran should pay close attention to promoting economic diplomacy, the importance of multilateralism, the development of alternative routes, the promotion of economic growth, the diversification of the economy, and opening new markets for Iranian exports.
From Tehran’s perspective, economic resilience through the diversification of trading partners, financing, and payment channels within BRICS can reduce pressure from the West.
Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (PMO) has outlined some core priorities (monitoring, facilitation, and proactive engagement) for the organization.
Tehran seeks to become a connecting hub for major regional and global corridors with the support of BRICS. Therefore, Iran is paying greater attention to the faster development of a set of corridors with its partners.
In the final declaration of the second meeting of economy ministers and central bank governors of BRICS member states, the use of local currencies, enhanced coordination and economic cooperation, as well as the utilization of domestic payment systems within the BRICS framework, were important.
Iran is placing greater emphasis on the expedited development of a network of corridors in collaboration with its partners.
Undoubtedly, the development of intra-group trade, the development of transportation corridors, the connection of ports and logistics centers, and the expansion of transit capacities can contribute to strengthening resilience.
Some of the potential of BRICS members could have a significant positive impact on Iran’s economy in the short and medium term, particularly through foreign direct investment, overcoming Iran’s economic challenges, gaining access to development programs and prospects, and increasing the economic growth rate.
At the same time, financial initiatives such as the New Development Bank (NDB), the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), BRICS Pay, and the developing financial payment system are emerging. BRICS’s financial and trade approach provides a suitable opportunity for Iran to diversify its trade portfolio.
Forming alternative payment systems and non-dollar financial systems, moving away from reliance on the US dollar, increasing trade with domestic currencies, and creating a common currency can benefit Iran.
Undoubtedly, deepening financial and banking cooperation, making greater use of national currencies in settlements between member countries, reducing vulnerability arising from dependence on the dollar, and diversifying the foreign-currency portfolio are important.
Furthermore, given Tehran’s efforts to remove obstacles to joining the New Development Bank, any success for Iran would mean access to suitable loans to support development and investment in Iran.
BRICS is seeking to reform traditional financial structures such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank (WB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and to strengthen the role of multilateral political organizations such as the United Nations (UN), to oppose unilateral and Western-centered policies. For this reason, BRICS recently supported Iran’s membership in the World Trade Organization. Therefore, greater attention to inclusive governance and the non-discriminatory implementation of international law, reform of global governance structures, and serious opposition to unilateral sanctions would also benefit Iran.
Expectations and Outlook
BRICS is not a military-security bloc against the United States, Iran’s strategy within BRICS is also not simply a diplomatic effort to counter U.S. influence.
There are still some differences and coordination challenges among BRICS members. However, turning multilateralism from a slogan into practice depends on the commitment of BRICS members and their political will in trade and financial exchanges.
Iran has so far been unable to make effective use of the potential of BRICS. Therefore, the use of national currencies is a condition for Iran to effectively benefit from the future capacities of BRICS. It appears that Iran insists on transforming BRICS into an active organization and moving from political positions toward sustainable financial channels, investment, and energy purchases. From this perspective, any expansion in the use of national currencies in trade among member countries would lead to a reduction in dependence on intermediary currencies and help circumvent the effects of sanctions.
BRICS in 2026 has become a multidimensional center for redefining global governance, development, technology, security, culture, and environmental sustainability.
It also appears that Tehran’s future objective within BRICS will undoubtedly be more geoeconomic and economic in nature.
Undoubtedly, BRICS is still neither an integrated nor a fully aligned institution. However, Iran will probably support all political, economic, and geopolitical trends within BRICS, including the development of independent economic and financial cooperation, science and technology, energy, and food security.
It also appears that Tehran will support efforts to address challenges within the group, eliminate administrative shortcomings, resist unlawful sanctions, establish a permanent secretariat, and strengthen coordination mechanisms among members.
Samyar Rostami, а political observer and senior researcher in international relations
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