Iran's BRICS Entry: Reshaping Global Power Dynamics?
The global geopolitical landscape is in constant flux, and few developments underscore this shift as profoundly as Iran's recent full membership in the BRICS group. This strategic move, which saw Iran join Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates, marks a significant moment for Tehran and the evolving international order. It signals a determined effort by emerging economies to forge a multipolar world, offering a counterbalance to established Western influence. This expansion of BRICS is not merely an economic alignment; it represents a bold statement on the future of global governance and trade.
For years, Iran has sought to break free from the isolation imposed by international sanctions, particularly those from the US, which have significantly impacted its economy. Its intent to join the alliance was piqued after China's President Xi Jinping invited Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to deliver a speech via video conference at the 14th BRICS Summit. This invitation, followed by Iran's formal application to join BRICS during the 14th summit in Beijing on June 24, 2022, was a clear signal that Tehran had received the "green light" from key members like China and Russia, with whom it has forged deepening security and military partnerships and bolstered economic ties. Many viewed this invitation as a reward for its consistent efforts to align with non-Western powers.
Table of Contents
- Iran in BRICS: A Strategic Achievement
- Economic Aspirations and Challenges
- Geopolitical Implications of Iran Joining BRICS
- Iran, BRICS, and the Israel Conflict
- Iran's Expanding Role in BRICS Governance
- The Road Ahead for Iran in BRICS
Iran in BRICS: A Strategic Achievement
The full membership of Iran in the BRICS group of emerging economies is touted by Tehran as a historic achievement and a strategic success in its foreign policy. Mohammad Jamshidi, a key Iranian official, underlined this significance on his Twitter page, as reported by IRNA. This move is not merely symbolic; it is seen as a tangible step towards breaking economic isolation and solidifying its position in a changing global order. For the past few years, Iran has diligently forged a deepening security and military partnership with Russia and bolstered its economic ties to China, making its inclusion in BRICS a natural progression of its "Look East" policy.
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The invitation to join BRICS was viewed by many as a reward for Iran's consistent efforts to align with non-Western powers and its strategic importance in the Middle East. Its intent to join the alliance was piqued after China’s President Xi Jinping invited Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to deliver a speech via video conference at the 14th BRICS summit. This direct engagement at such a high level underscored the growing interest from core BRICS members in Iran's inclusion. Iran's foreign ministry officially applied to join BRICS, an organization of emerging economies, during its 14th summit held in Beijing on June 24, 2022. It is clear that this Iranian move would not have happened if Tehran had not received the green light from China and Russia, indicating a coordinated effort to expand the bloc's influence and membership.
Economic Aspirations and Challenges
For Iran, joining BRICS is fundamentally about economic revitalization. Iran’s Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ehsan Khandouzi stated that the country joined BRICS to bring achievements in foreign investments. The Islamic nation has seen a significant decline in foreign funds after the US sanctions, making their economy head south. This membership is expected to provide new avenues for trade, investment, and financial cooperation, potentially mitigating the severe impact of these sanctions.
The Quest for Foreign Investment
The potential for Iran to sell large volumes of oil, increase its exports to BRICS members, and reduce the impact of sanctions is a significant draw. While Iran’s economy is currently underperforming—and of its fellow BRICS members, it has one of the weakest economies—the hope is that closer integration with this powerful economic bloc will provide the necessary impetus for growth. The ability to conduct trade in local currencies, bypassing the dollar-dominated financial system, is also a major incentive for Iran and other BRICS members seeking to reduce reliance on Western financial infrastructure.
Navigating Economic Headwinds
Despite the high hopes, Iran faces considerable economic challenges within the BRICS framework. The chart below shows the difference in gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates amongst BRICS countries from 2023 to 2024, with Iran’s rate declining the most. This highlights the uphill battle Tehran faces in leveraging its new membership for substantial economic gains. To truly benefit, Iran needs to overcome internal economic hurdles and successfully integrate its economy with the diverse and often complex economies of its new partners. The success of Iran's membership will greatly benefit if Iran can sell large volumes of oil, increase its exports to BRICS, and reduce sanctions, a goal that remains challenging given ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Geopolitical Implications of Iran Joining BRICS
Iran’s membership in BRICS could shape novel prospects for Tehran’s foreign policy and economic strategy, solidifying the growing geopolitical paradigm of a multipolar world. In this emerging order, nations like Russia, China, Iran, and India endeavor to provide a counterbalance to Western influence. This expansion is a clear signal of the bloc's ambition to grow its clout on the global stage, challenging the unipolar world order that has largely prevailed since the end of the Cold War.
A Multipolar World and Alternative Currencies
The position of BRICS in a multipolar world and an alternative reserve currency to the dollar were among the most discussed topics at the recent summits. The inclusion of Iran, alongside Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia, signals a concerted effort to build a more diversified global financial system. This move is particularly significant for Iran, which has long sought to circumvent the dominance of the US dollar in international trade due to sanctions. The expansion of BRICS, therefore, is not just about economic cooperation but also about creating a new financial architecture that is less susceptible to Western political pressure.
Regional Realignments
One of the most intriguing aspects of the BRICS expansion is the simultaneous inclusion of Iran and Saudi Arabia. This development is particularly noteworthy given the historical rivalry between the two regional powers. At the summit, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia were set to enter BRICS from January. Thus, Iran is on its way to meet Saudi Arabia within the same economic bloc. This shared platform could potentially foster greater regional stability and cooperation, as both nations now have a vested interest in the success of the BRICS agenda. It represents a significant diplomatic achievement for the bloc, demonstrating its ability to bring together historically adversarial nations under a common economic and geopolitical umbrella.
Iran, BRICS, and the Israel Conflict
Despite its recent BRICS membership, Iran finds itself alone facing the military escalation in its conflict with Israel, which has intensified with unprecedented military strikes on both sides. This highlights a critical limitation of the BRICS alliance: while it is a formidable economic and geopolitical bloc, it does not function as a mutual defense organization. Russia, a key ally of Iran and a founding BRICS member, condemned Israel but refused any military support to Tehran, citing a partnership without a mutual defense clause. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nature of BRICS as primarily an economic and political forum rather than a military alliance. While Iran's membership may offer diplomatic leverage and economic relief, it does not automatically translate into military backing from its fellow BRICS members in times of conflict. This reality underscores the complex and often contradictory nature of international relations, where economic alliances do not always align with security commitments.
Iran's Expanding Role in BRICS Governance
Iran's engagement with BRICS extends beyond mere economic aspirations; it encompasses a broader role in the bloc's governance and security discussions. Iran joined the BRICS parliamentary summit, expanding its role in security and governance. On Thursday, 05 June 2025, Iran made its first official appearance at the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Speakers’ Meeting in Brasília, where top officials engaged in discussions on governance, economic cooperation, and security. This participation signifies Iran's commitment to actively contribute to the bloc's agenda and shape its future direction. Despite facing tight economic sanctions and unresolved tensions with the international community over its nuclear program, Iran's proactive engagement within BRICS parliamentary forums demonstrates its intent to be a constructive and influential member. This involvement at the parliamentary level further solidifies Iran's integration into the BRICS framework, moving beyond just economic ties to encompass broader political and strategic cooperation.
The Road Ahead for Iran in BRICS
The membership of Iran to BRICS can have a unique importance for the bloc, particularly given its strategic location, vast energy reserves, and historical ties to key Asian powers. For Iran, the path ahead within BRICS is multifaceted. It will involve navigating the complexities of integrating its sanctioned economy with the diverse economic systems of its new partners. The success of this integration hinges on Iran's ability to capitalize on new trade routes, attract foreign investment, and reduce the impact of existing sanctions. The aspiration is clear: to sell large volumes of oil, increase exports to BRICS, and reduce sanctions, thereby reversing the economic decline experienced after US sanctions. This strategic success, as highlighted by Iranian officials, is seen as a critical step towards a more robust and resilient Iranian economy.
Furthermore, Iran's presence within BRICS will continue to shape the geopolitical landscape, fostering a more multipolar world. The bloc's expanded membership, including key Middle Eastern players like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, alongside Iran, presents an intriguing dynamic for regional stability and cooperation. The focus on alternative reserve currencies to the dollar will also be a key area where Iran, with its experience in circumventing dollar-based transactions, could play a significant role. The journey for Iran within BRICS is just beginning, but it holds immense potential for reshaping its economic future and its standing in the global arena.
Conclusion
The inclusion of Iran in the BRICS group marks a pivotal moment in global geopolitics and economics. It underscores a collective ambition among emerging economies to challenge the existing world order and foster a more multipolar system. For Iran, this membership is a strategic lifeline, offering potential avenues for economic recovery, increased foreign investment, and a reduction in the impact of crippling sanctions. While significant economic challenges remain, particularly its underperforming economy and declining GDP growth rates, the opportunity to integrate with a powerful bloc like BRICS offers a glimmer of hope for Tehran.
Beyond economics, Iran's presence in BRICS has profound geopolitical implications, solidifying a counterbalance to Western influence and fostering new regional realignments, including its unexpected shared platform with Saudi Arabia. However, the limits of this alliance were starkly highlighted during the recent conflict with Israel, where BRICS's non-mutual defense clause meant no military support for Tehran. As Iran continues to expand its role in BRICS governance and parliamentary discussions, its journey within the bloc will be a crucial case study in the evolving dynamics of international relations. What are your thoughts on Iran's BRICS membership? Do you believe it will fundamentally alter the global power balance, or are the challenges too great to overcome? Share your perspectives in the comments below, and explore our other articles on global economic shifts and geopolitical developments.
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