BRICS 2026: US-Israel's war has pushed Iran’s economy into a ‘far more dangerous phase’, says President Masoud Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the BRICS business forum on Friday that economic security cannot be separated from national and regional security, in his first major international stage since the US-Israel war with Iran began in February, as he called for greater diversification of trade partners, financing sources and payment channels.

Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, Pezeshkian said geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions and the growing use of economic instruments for political pressure had made the global economic environment increasingly complex.

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“The world today is going through one of its most complex periods, geopolitical uncertainty, disruptions in supply chains, and the increasing use of economic instruments to exert political pressure, have made the economic environment in which countries operate more complex. The question is, what is BRICS response to these challenges?” Pezeshkian said.

The Iranian president said Tehran believed economic resilience depended on reducing reliance on a limited set of trade and financial channels.

“Dear colleagues, the Republic of Iran believes that economic resilience is not possible without diversifying Trade partners, sources of financing, and payment channels, Iran has faced extensive sanctions over the past years,” he said.

Pezeshkian flags US-Israel military action

Pezeshkian said the pressures facing Iran had entered a more dangerous phase following what he described as military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran.

“However, in recent months, these pressures have entered a far more dangerous phase as a result of the military aggression and as a result of the military act of aggression of the United States and the Israeli regime against the South Republic of Iran, this act of aggression, in addition to its human and material losses, once again revealed an important reality: economic security cannot be separated from national and regional security,” he said.

His remarks at the forum mark a major international appearance for Pezeshkian since the US-Israel war with Iran began in February. He is in New Delhi for the two-day BRICS summit being held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12-13.

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Iran pitches role in BRICS supply chains

Pezeshkian also placed food and energy security at the centre of Iran’s economic security concerns, pointing to the country’s energy reserves and geographical position.

“Food and energy security are two fundamental pillars of economic security in the Eastern Republic of Iran, with its vast energy reserves and outstanding geographical position is prepared to play the role of a strategic partner in breaks energy, food, and transport supply chains,” Pezeshkian said.

He said Iran was prepared to play the role of a strategic partner in BRICS energy, food and transport supply chains.