Iranian President Pezeshkian Rejects US Pressure as BRICS Summit Convenes in India

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared his country will not surrender to the U.S. and Israel, addressing Indian religious leaders in New Delhi late Friday.

Pezeshkian stated, "Iran has successfully stood against Israel and the U.S." and will not yield in front of bullying arrogance. His comments precede the BRICS Summit in India over the weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump had asserted on Thursday that Iran would have wiped out Israel and the Middle East, and started hitting U.S. cities without U.S. military action, adding, "If I had it to do again, I would do exactly what I did."

Pezeshkian met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, where Modi expressed concerns about seafarer safety and called for peace and freedom of navigation. Shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have slowed since the U.S. and Israel began their war on Iran on Feb. 28. Modi reiterated his appeal for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Middle East conflict.

At the BRICS Summit opening, Modi criticized the global order as a pyramid of privilege and urged reforms for the UN Security Council and international financial institutions to reflect the Global South's influence. Global crude oil prices have surged due to escalating U.S.-Iran fighting, impacting energy importers like India. Separately, Modi and Russian leader Vladimir Putin agreed to deepen bilateral ties in New Delhi, aiming to increase trade from nearly US$70 billion in 2024-2025 to US$100 billion by 2030.

Putin criticized Western pressure at a BRICS business forum, citing direct physical attacks and threats of secondary sanctions. BRICS finance ministers expressed concern over unilateral trade restrictions.