Iranian president urges BRICS to prevent obstruction of legitimate trade

Modi underscores need to protect freedom of navigation, commerce and safety, well-being of seafarers

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday that BRICS must create an environment that prevents any country from obstructing the legitimate trade of others, saying Iran has entered a “far more dangerous” phase of economic pressure following the war with the US and Israel.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a speech at the 18th BRICS leaders’ summit in the Indian capital New Delhi.

BRICS is a global economic bloc founded in 2006. It includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, while Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran later joined. Indonesia’s accession was announced in early 2025.

Pezeshkian said the world is going through one of its “most complex periods,” warning that the increasing use of economic tools to exert pressure has endangered the legitimate trade of other countries. "What is BRICS’ response to these problems?” he said.

He added that BRICS’ strength would become clearer when the group moves from “potential cooperation to operational cooperation.” “Iran has faced comprehensive sanctions in recent years, and these pressures entered a far more dangerous phase following the US-Israeli aggression,” Pezeshkian said.

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He said the aggression once again revealed an important reality alongside human and material losses: that economic security cannot be separated from national and regional security.

“When a country’s trade, energy, infrastructure or financial system is subjected to political and military pressure, the effects go beyond that country’s borders and affect regional stability and the global economy,” he said.

Pezeshkian stressed the need to create an environment that prevents any country from obstructing the legitimate trade of others.

He also emphasised the importance of expanding the use of national currencies in trade among BRICS countries.

The Iranian president expressed his country’s readiness to serve as a “strategic partner” in the group’s energy and transport supply chains. “Iran is ready to work with BRICS members to build a more open and just economy,” he said.

Modi stresses need to protect navigation, seafarers

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Pezeshkian and underscored the need to protect the freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers, India's foreign ministry said.

The meeting ​took place on the eve of the BRICS leaders' summit in New Delhi, held against the ​backdrop of the US and Iran resuming tit-for-tat strikes in their six-month-old war, after ⁠a pause in fighting for much of August.

In a meeting with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, India’s PM Narendra Modi emphasised the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and commerce, as well as the safety of seafarers, according to an Indian foreign ministry statement.

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India is walking a tightrope in the conflict, boasting historical ​and cultural ties with Iran, strong, strategic relations with Israel and close friendships with Arab countries, where millions ​of its nationals live and work.

The South Asian nation has been particularly affected by attacks on vessels transiting the region, which have killed at least 10 Indians. "Prime Minister (Modi) reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and ​diplomacy," the ministry said in a statement.

"He also underscored the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting ​peace and stability in the region, safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers," it ‌said.

This was ⁠the second meeting between the leaders in as many weeks.

They last held talks on August 31, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where Pezeshkian told Modi that Tehran wanted a negotiated solution to its conflict with the US.

New Delhi had condemned Tehran's attacks on its Gulf neighbours, energy infrastructure in ​the region, and on ships ​that have led to ⁠the deaths of crew members but, in a surprise move at the Bishkek summit, signed a joint declaration condemning the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and Western ​sanctions.