Beyond the West: How Iran and BRICS are Crafting a New Global Vision
By: N. Daneshvar
Today, as we witness the transformation of BRICS into one of the pillars of the emerging global order, one of the key achievements of the Iranian 13th Administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran, continued under the nascent 14th Administration, has been the strategic decision to avoid limiting the nation's economic and diplomatic potential to the West. Instead, Tehran has actively and constructively pursued participation in new international coalitions and organizations, such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, led by emerging economic powers. Iran’s full membership in BRICS is a prime example of its successful engagement in multilateralism, offering mutual benefits—especially in the realms of economy and politics—for Iran, BRICS members, and its allies.
First and foremost, it must be acknowledged that Iran’s geographical position, population, and abundant resources represent significant advantages for BRICS, its core members, and its partners across various sectors. Additionally, Iran’s membership in BRICS primarily opens the door to the creation and expansion of a broader and more extensive communication network for the country, which, in turn, could help neutralize sanctions. Ultimately, this may lead to the establishment of new mechanisms in the international economy, such as the 'BRICS Bank' (operating under the name of the 'New Development Bank'), which aims to diminish the dominance of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in the global economic and political arena, promising to benefit BRICS members in both political and economic spheres.
Financial assessments indicate that BRICS, through the inclusion of new members and balanced expansion, alongside certain other coalitions, is likely to act as a driving force in altering international relations. It is expected to accelerate the transition from a unipolar world order to a new global framework. Many experts predict that by 2050, BRICS members will collectively account for over 40% of global economic output. Thus, with its rapid growth and expansion, BRICS is poised to outpace coalitions like the G7 (which, even now, lags behind in terms of its share of the global economy) and will undoubtedly become one of the principal actors in shaping the future international order. The inclusion of powers such as the Islamic Republic of Iran will further undermine the hegemony of the West, fostering a more just economic and political environment among nations and paving the way for multilateral development, sustainable growth, and economic prosperity for its members.
In this context, during the past week, at the BRICS member states' security officials meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and representative of the Supreme Leader, proposed the formation of a "Club of Anti-Sanctions Countries" and called for the creation of coordinated, practical mechanisms to counter sanctions. He also advocated the establishment of BRICS’ own security mechanisms under the title "BRICS Security Commission," aimed at fostering joint cooperation in the realm of international peace and security to ensure global stability.
Considering the foundational roots of BRICS and its core objective of reshaping the global order to rectify the current unjust economic structures and challenge the world order dominated by the United States and its Western allies, this global initiative—beyond its prominent economic role—has evolved into a comprehensive political counterbalance to the West. With the participation of powerful countries within this group, a robust nucleus has emerged to counter the Western bloc. Iran’s timely proposal, aligned with the long-term political and economic goals of BRICS, seeks to establish practical and coordinated mechanisms to resist the West's unjust, unilateral sanctions that exploit the U.S. dollar as a weapon. This initiative holds the potential to guarantee peace, stability, and sustainable security worldwide.
In conclusion, while one of the primary economic objectives of BRICS has been to detach from the U.S. dollar as the standard currency in international trade and to de-dollarize global trade through the use of national currencies—thereby increasing the influence of emerging economic powers—it is within the context of Iran’s proposal that the opportunity arises to neutralize the West’s oppressive and unilateral sanctions against independent governments and nations around the world. This could pave the way for an end to the instability caused by Western actions, ushering in a new era of sustainable security for all countries—one that serves the shared interests of all rather than those of a select few.
