Iran's Quest for Allies within BRICS Amidst Ongoing Military Threats

In the wake of ongoing conflict and international pressure, Iran is taking critical steps to secure alliances through participation in the BRICS summit, revealing its strategies for resilience and support.

Battered by an intense military campaign, Iran finds itself increasingly isolated in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The Islamic Republic, however, is turning its attention toward the BRICS alliance—an influential group of emerging economies comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—as it attempts to strengthen its international standing. Starting this Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Iran will participate in a crucial two-day meeting of BRICS, marking its debut in the coalition. This summit offers Tehran a platform to highlight its ties to significant powers, in stark contrast to the sanctions and military threats stemming from its controversial nuclear program.

The escalating hostilities instigated by Israel and the U.S. have prompted the BRICS group to release a statement expressing “grave concern” regarding the military actions against Iran, while labeling the strikes as violations of international law. Nonetheless, despite the group's sizable demographic influence—representing more than half of the global population—there remains a notable reluctance to explicitly criticize Israel or the United States.

Internal divisions within BRICS regarding the appropriate level of condemnation for the strikes illustrate the complexities of the alliance's quest to reshape global power. Experts like Oliver Stuenkel, who specializes in BRICS affairs at Brazil’s Getúlio Vargas Foundation, highlight the lack of consensus among member nations about Iran, resulting in a decidedly muted response from the group.

As the BRICS summit draws nearer, Iran aims to solidify its position among these key players, using this opportunity to attract vital support while striving to navigate the challenges posed by ongoing military tensions and international scrutiny surrounding its nuclear ambitions.