Iranian President Pezeshkian Slams Western Sanctions' Impact on Food Security at BRICS

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian slammed unilateral sanctions at the BRICS summit on Sunday, stating they directly impact global food security and people's welfare.

Pezeshkian addressed the concluding session of the two-day BRICS summit in New Delhi. He urged BRICS to expand trade in national currencies and work towards an inclusive global economic framework. The President stated that excessive dependence on existing financial and trade systems makes emerging economies vulnerable to political shocks. He also said BRICS must play a greater role in building a more balanced, inclusive, and just international order, emphasizing that resilience, cooperation, and sustainability should translate into practical action.

Pezeshkian referred to military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran, stating that economic resilience cannot be sustained without security. He warned that attacks on Iran's economic, energy, and development infrastructure could have regional and global repercussions. Pezeshkian noted that the Iranian people have paid a heavy price, with civilians killed and infrastructure damaged, and called on the international community to protect civilians and prevent the normalisation of attacks on civilian targets.

Pezeshkian's remarks came weeks after the U.S. imposed new economic sanctions on Iran, tightening the squeeze on Tehran's finances amid ongoing military hostilities. The BRICS group, founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has expanded to 11 members. It seeks greater representation for developing countries in global institutions and promotes alternatives to Western-dominated financial systems.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the summit, warning that the weaponization of technology and critical minerals could hinder global development. The group's joint declaration on Saturday expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and Sudan, calling for disputes to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The bloc also reiterated support for a multipolar world order and UN reforms, and opposed unilateral sanctions not authorized by the UN.