Iran Seeks Stronger Ties with BRICS Amidst International Isolation

With military strikes deteriorating its position in the Middle East, Iran looks towards the BRICS group in hopes of garnering international support. Analysts note that internal disagreements within BRICS regarding strong condemnation of recent attacks on Iran may challenge the group's collective identity.

Following weeks of heightened military tension, Iran finds itself struggling for allies on the global stage. The Islamic Republic, recently battered by intense warfare with neighboring regions, is now pivoting to the BRICS alliance — a conglomerate of emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Starting Sunday, Iran will take part in a two-day summit in Rio de Janeiro aimed at showcasing its commitment to fostering connections amidst threats including intensified sanctions and military actions aimed at its nuclear ambitions.

Last month, Israel and the United States executed military strikes on Iranian sites, triggering concern within the BRICS cohort. While the group publicly expressed "grave concern" over the airstrikes and classified the actions as violations of international law and the U.N. Charter, member nations refrained from directly criticizing its Western counterparts. This reluctance underscores an undercurrent of division within BRICS, as the alliance grapples with defining its stance on Iran's global relations.

Oliver Stuenkel, a BRICS analyst and associate professor at Brazil’s Getúlio Vargas Foundation, remarked on the lack of united front regarding Iran within BRICS. "There is no alignment whatsoever on Iran," he commented, indicating that the group's collective response was a carefully measured and understated one. The future dynamics between BRICS and Iran may very well depend on how effectively the alliance can navigate these conflicting interests while attempting to assert its role as a counterbalance to Western influence.