Brics joint statement on Iran: A challenge for Trump

At a time when President Donald Trump is making all out efforts to turn the wheels of history back by converting the contemporary world order as unipolar with the US as the default, de facto and de jure power of the world, or at best as bipolar, with the US and China as the only ‘players who matter’, it seems his plans are failing, just like his efforts to ‘stop the war between Russia and Ukraine’.

Several other states and regional blocks are asserting themselves independently and taking stands that do not subscribe to dominant US views, especially on controversial issues like wars, climate change, green financing and responsibility of the developed nations, etc.

The joint statement of the leaders of the Brics countries that came out after the recently concluded Brics summit at Brazil is a testimony to it. The statement has given a significant boost to Iran, the new joinee to the block in its foreign policy outreach after the attack on its three nuclear sites by Israel and the US. It is also a reflection of changing geopolitical dynamics and a push back by developing countries to assert themselves.

What’s Brics?

Brics initially referred to a group of nations undergoing swift economic expansion that, if sustained at comparable rates, would become the preeminent economic powers of the 21st century. The abbreviation, originating from the names of the initial members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has been adopted as the designation of a formal international organisation that seeks to enhance economic and geopolitical integration and cooperation among its member states.

The phrase Bric, representing Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was initially coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill to characterise the four economies that might potentially control the world economy by 2050, if they sustain growth. Representatives of the BRIC nations commenced informal meetings during the 2006 session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), paving the way for the formalisation of the group in the future.

During their inaugural summit in 2009, the BRIC nations reiterated their dedication to a multipolar world order and global non-interventionism, advocating for a new global reserve currency as a substitute for the U.S. dollar. In 2011, South Africa became a member of the organisation, resulting in the group’s acronym being altered to Brics. This indicated a shift from a particular economic classification to a broader coalition of emerging regional leaders.

The Brics organisation is also perceived as an initiative to establish a geopolitical bloc that can counteract the dominance of Western-led global organisations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The true cohesion and alignment of the Brics nations, as well as the actual worth of the alliance, however, remains a subject of contention. Several analysts highlight the significant disparities in the political systems, economy, and geopolitical standings of the member states as indicators of the organization’s fragility.

Brics expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, with Indonesia joining in 2025, along with ten associate nations, turning it as Brics+. Brics currently emphasises climate financing, artificial intelligence governance, and alternative payment systems, while managing internal diversity and global issues.

About the 17th Brics Summit

The 17th Brics Summit took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6-7, 2025, representing a significant event for the group during Brazil’s leadership, with the subject “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” The Summit convened amid rising geopolitical tensions and a changing global order, seeking to establish Brics as a counterbalance to Western-dominated institutions such as the IMF and G7, while steering clear of outright conflict. Nonetheless, the increasing U.S. protectionism under President Donald Trump, who threatened substantial tariffs on Brics states engaging in de-dollarization, highlighted the difficulties of manoeuvring through the US-China competition and Western scepticism.

During the summit, host nation Brazil’s emphasis on climate finance, AI governance, and health equity signified a pragmatic transition towards the goals of the Global South, in contrast to the 2024 Kazan Summit’s concentration on Russia’s anti-sanction agenda. Internal differences, especially about UN Security Council reform and de-dollarisation, underscored the bloc’s challenges in achieving cohesion amidst its varied political systems—three democracies (Brazil, India, South Africa) and two authoritarian regimes (China, Russia).

Brics Statement on Iran

The major highlight of the summit, however, was a joint statement released by Brics leaders that sharply rebuked the United States and Israeli bombardments of Iran in June 2025, calling them a “blatant breach of international law” while voicing strong support for the creation of a Palestinian state. Iran garnered significant diplomatic support during the summit, as the group denounced recent bombings on Iranian soil. The block condemned “the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” alluding to assaults by Israel and the United States.

The joint statement, although not explicitly naming the U.S. or Israel, constituted Brics’ most robust condemnation to date. China and Russia indicated their strong apprehensions against the actions of the US and Israel, with Moscow describing the strikes as “unprovoked.”

The consolidated stance of Brics, now inclusive of Iran, indicates an increasing alignment among non-Western nations in opposing the recent US-led actions on bombing the three nuclear sites in Iran. Tehran’s backing by Brics countries comes at a pivotal moment as it pursues worldwide acknowledgement of what it perceives as an illegitimate attack on its sovereignty and nuclear infrastructure. Over a period of time, Iran has persistently attempted to escape diplomatic isolation. Full membership in Brics, together with a collective declaration of solidarity, may enhance its capacity to contest the Western narrative in global platforms such as the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Iranian delegation in Brazil had, however, advocated for an even stronger language of condemnation regarding the attack on its nuclear installations. The concluding statement has denounced the strikes and underscored that “assaults on critical infrastructure and nuclear facilities are impermissible under international law.” With backing from Brics, Iran is anticipated to intensify its demands for a formal inquiry via the U.N. Security Council and the IAEA. In this context, Tehran may also seek additional security guarantees from Russia and China. As Brics evolves into a more cohesive political organisation, Iran’s inclusion may alter future reactions to regional disputes involving Western countries.

Peace, till when?

By the time of writing this article, there was no official reaction from the Government of Israel on the Brics joint statement. It would be interesting to see how Israel reacts to it. The joint declaration denouncing Israeli actions against Iran also received support from India. Earlier this month, India distanced itself from a statement released by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which vehemently criticised Israel’s military actions on Iranian soil.

Although Iran has managed to get the support of Brics+ nation, it would be interesting to see if this will have any impact on the strategic calculus of Israel and the US, which want not just an end of Iran’s nuclear dreams, but also a regime change, something that is almost impossible without putting boots on the ground. Peace, in West Asia, is just like a comma, and never a full stop! It may look like it is finally achieved, but then even a small incident spills over to bring back violence.

Pavan Chaurasia is a Research Fellow at India Foundation, a New Delhi based think tank working on foreign policy and national security. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.