WANA (Sep 13) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed the need to strengthen multilateralism and cooperation among BRICS members, saying he hopes the group’s policies can counter unilateral actions and US pressure and prevent Washington from pursuing its “colonial and exploitative” objectives in the region and beyond.

 

Speaking on Sunday evening after the Iranian delegation’s participation in the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Pezeshkian outlined the main issues discussed at the gathering, noting that BRICS currently comprises 11 core members, while 10 other countries have expressed interest in joining the group. He said constructive discussions were held with the prospective members on the future of cooperation.

 

Pezeshkian said the Iranian delegation focused on presenting Tehran’s positions and pursuing the objectives set for the summit, adding that resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability were among the key themes addressed by participating countries.

 

He said strengthening national resilience and countering unilateralism were common themes among the leaders, with many participants emphasizing the need to move toward a multipolar world.

 

The Iranian president also said BRICS members were seeking to expand cooperation in economic, political, security and trade areas so that countries could draw on each other’s capabilities in the face of external pressure.

 

Expanding Iran-India Cooperation

Pezeshkian said his meetings with Indian officials in New Delhi were productive, with discussions focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening humanitarian ties.

 

He described Iran-India relations as extending beyond purely diplomatic ties, saying the two countries’ shared historical and cultural background was reflected in the interactions between their officials.

 

According to Pezeshkian, the Iranian and Indian foreign ministers were tasked with following up on the details of the understandings reached during the meetings. He also referred to separate meetings with the prime minister of Malaysia, the president of South Africa and the prime minister of Ethiopia, as well as brief talks with the presidents of Russia and China.

 

Pezeshkian also referred to his conversation with the Egyptian president, saying the two sides shared concerns over developments in the region.

 

He said his first meeting with the Abu Dhabi crown prince since the war and the developments in the Persian Gulf provided an opportunity for a constructive discussion. The two sides, he said, agreed to put the past aside and focus on cooperation to build the future. Pezeshkian added that the discussions continued at the foreign-minister level.

 

BRICS Opposes Attacks on Nuclear Facilities

Pezeshkian said one of the key points in the summit’s declaration was the condemnation of attacks on nuclear facilities and civilian infrastructure, along with calls for restraint and respect for the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Middle Eastern countries.

 

He listed opposition to unilateral sanctions and coercive measures, as well as support for Iran’s accession to the World Trade Organization, among the other issues addressed at the summit.

 

The Iranian president also said expanding trade in national currencies and reducing dependence on the Western financial system were among the issues emphasized by many leaders. He said mechanisms were being examined to facilitate greater use of regional currencies in trade.

 

According to Pezeshkian, reforming global governance and financial institutions, opposition to occupation, support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, condemnation of Israeli aggression, establishing a nuclear-weapon-free region and combating terrorism without double standards were also highlighted in the summit declaration and discussions.

 

Pezeshkian Criticizes US Unilateralism

Pezeshkian criticized what he described as the disregard for international law by some major powers, saying that while the United Nations and human rights frameworks exist, some countries act outside these frameworks.

 

Referring to Israeli attacks and US support for them, he said targeting women, children, hospitals and civilian gathering places with advanced weaponry was unacceptable from a humanitarian perspective.

 

The Iranian president stressed that military or economic power should not give any country the right to disregard international law and humanitarian principles or use technological and economic superiority to pressure other nations.

 

He said many countries participating in the summit opposed this approach, although some were reluctant to state their positions as explicitly in official documents because of concerns about potential economic consequences.

 

Pezeshkian: BRICS Can Help Counter US Pressure

Pezeshkian expressed hope that greater cooperation among BRICS members could help counter unilateralism and reduce the impact of US pressure in the region.

 

Referring to US pressure on Cuba and other countries, he said: “We hope the bullying actions of the United States in the region will be neutralized through the policies of BRICS members and that the US will not be able to achieve its harmful objectives in the region and the world.”

 

The Iranian president also said BRICS’ economic capabilities were expanding, noting that discussions had been held on investment, financial transactions, banking cooperation and the activities of the New Development Bank.

 

He described the outlook for economic cooperation as positive, saying favorable opportunities were emerging to increase investment, expand financial transactions and deepen economic ties among BRICS members.