Iran and Russia use BRICS summit to slam Western sanctions as threats to global food security

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned Western economic sanctions at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, warning that unilateral financial penalties directly threaten global food security and public welfare.

Addressing the final session of the three-day summit on Sunday, Pezeshkian called on the bloc to reduce its reliance on Western-dominated financial networks. He urged member states to expand trade using their own national currencies and to strengthen the New Development Bank to insulate emerging economies from external political shocks.

Shifting from sanctions to military conflict

The Iranian leader's remarks come at a time of acute tension. Just weeks ago, the US imposed fresh economic sanctions on Tehran, squeezing its finances further in the middle of active military hostilities between the two sides.

Pezeshkian argued that Western economic pressure has entered a dangerous new phase, shifting from financial restrictions to direct military aggression by the US and Israel against Iranian economic, energy, and development infrastructure. He warned that attacks on these facilities would trigger regional and global repercussions far beyond Iran's borders.

Those repercussions are already visible in energy markets. With shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz disrupted by the conflict, US crude oil futures recently surpassed $100 a barrel for the first time since May, while US diesel prices hit $6 a gallon. Pezeshkian argued that security is a prerequisite for economic resilience, calling on the international community to protect civilians and prevent the normalisation of attacks on non-military targets.

Putin backs offensive against the West

Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the attack on Western economic policy, claiming that nations facing industrial decline and budget deficits are using sanctions to protect their own competitive edge.

Speaking during a business forum at the summit on Friday, Putin said Russia has been targeted by more than 30,000 sanctions — more than double the total number imposed on the rest of the world combined. He argued that despite this pressure, the economic gravity of the world is shifting toward emerging economies.

Putin claimed that over the last five years, BRICS countries have produced more than 40 per cent of the world's incremental GDP, compared to just 29 per cent generated by the G7 nations.

A plea for Global South cooperation

Pezeshkian also addressed the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, describing the actions of Israeli forces as crimes and genocide. He urged BRICS nations to take a more active role in defending national sovereignty and enforcing the prohibition of the use of force.

Turning to technology, the Iranian president said tools like artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies must be used to empower nations, rather than acting as instruments of Western domination.

Pezeshkian, who attended the New Delhi summit alongside his daughter Zahra, thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hosting the event. He concluded with a plea to transform the collective capacities of the Global South into shared strengths, arguing that sustainable development is impossible without global peace.