During the BRICS Business Forum, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Western sanctions, urging the Global South to enhance trade relations. Pezeshkian emphasized the need for BRICS to create an environment that prevents any country from disrupting legitimate trade through monopolization of financial instruments.
He noted that the pressure on Iran has escalated to military aggression from the U.S. and Israel, which has broader implications for regional and global stability, particularly affecting energy markets. U.S. diesel prices reached $6 per gallon, driven by supply disruptions linked to conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine, with crude oil futures surpassing $100 per barrel.
Both leaders highlighted the importance of food and energy security, with Pezeshkian offering Iran's energy resources as a strategic partnership opportunity. Putin criticized the extensive sanctions imposed on Russia, claiming that over 30,000 sanctions have been placed on his country, which he argues are attempts by other nations to protect their economic interests.
He pointed out that BRICS countries have contributed significantly to global GDP growth, positioning the bloc as a viable platform for economic development amidst Western pressures