TEHRAN – At the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged each member state to view the progress of its peers as interconnected with its own development, reinforcing a sense of shared purpose.

Speaking on Wednesday, he stressed that as new members join BRICS, the group must take on greater responsibility for financing initiatives that support its member countries. 

President Pezeshkian also emphasized the importance of implementing the decisions made by the BRICS coalition. 

Pezeshkian outlined his administration's commitment to ensuring that BRICS functions effectively without being politicized, aiming instead to reform the global economic governance system.

“The implementation of BRICS decisions must be guaranteed to ensure that the level of economic cooperation among member states serves as a benchmark for the group's success,” he declared. 

In addition to economic matters, Pezeshkian addressed the urgent need for action regarding the ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Lebanon. He condemned the neglect of the rights of people seeking their ancestral homeland and called on all BRICS nations to leverage their resources to halt the violence in Gaza and Lebanon, advocating for a reduction in regional tensions.

This summit marks a significant milestone for Iran, as it is the country's first official participation as a permanent member of BRICS. The gathering commenced on Tuesday in Kazan, Tatarstan, with leaders from various member states, including Pezeshkian, coming together to discuss crucial international issues.

The summit's overarching theme is “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security,” reflecting a collective commitment to global progress.

Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi noted that the issues surrounding Gaza and Lebanon will be integral to the summit's discussions and will be highlighted in the final communiqué.

Araqchi emphasized the transformative role of the BRICS coalition, describing it as a burgeoning center of global influence aimed at challenging Western dominance and unilateral actions. 

The minister further elaborated on the collaborative efforts within BRICS to devise strategies that diminish Western economic hegemony, particularly in political, security, and economic arenas. Notably, he mentioned the establishment of a new development bank as a key initiative of the bloc.

With a collective population nearing 3.5 billion and a combined economic output surpassing $28.5 trillion—approximately 28 percent of the global economy—BRICS is positioning itself as a significant force on the world stage.

Iran, Egypt discuss regional stability, conflict resolution

During a pivotal meeting in Kazan, Pezeshkian and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi addressed critical regional issues, focusing on strategies to end the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon while preventing the escalation of violence to other areas.

Pezeshkian emphasized his administration's efforts to foster unity and strengthen friendly relations both domestically and internationally. 

The Iranian president also criticized the double standards practiced by Western nations in supporting the actions of the Israeli regime. He warned, “If the Israeli regime commits an error, rest assured that Iran will respond with a painful answer.”

In response, President el-Sisi underlined the importance of unity among Muslims, stating that their collective strength is paramount. He noted that while there are many facets to power, solidarity is the most crucial element. 

El-Sisi expressed his belief in advancing their shared interests through understanding and friendship. "Despite the challenges in our relationship over the years, I have never taken a stance against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is vital to correct the distorted image that has been presented of Iran in the region and globally over the past 40 years," he added.

Iran, UAE leaders highlight commitment to preventing regional violence

On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, President Pezeshkian also engaged in a brief meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, where they discussed bilateral concerns and regional stability.

During their discussion, which took place on Wednesday, the leaders addressed the urgent need to halt the attacks carried out by the Israeli regime. Pezeshkian and Al Nahyan highlighted their countries' shared commitment to preventing further violence in the region.

In a related meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held separate talks with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Araqchi confirmed that the primary focus of their discussions was the necessity to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, reinforcing the common ground shared by both nations on this critical issue.

The Foreign Minister also mentioned that during these discussions, some areas of disagreement were addressed, emphasizing their commitment to clearly and firmly advocate for the interests of Iran, particularly regarding the sovereignty of the three Persian Gulf islands.

Iran, Russia urge swift signing of strategic cooperation agreement

Pezeshkian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin emphasized the urgent need to finalize a strategic cooperation agreement between their countries. The two leaders met on Wednesday during the BRICS summit in Kazan, where they discussed strengthening bilateral ties.

In their discussions, Pezeshkian and Putin indicated that a "comprehensive cooperation agreement" is expected to be signed "soon." High-ranking officials from both nations, including their foreign ministers, were present during the talks, underscoring the significance of the discussions.

Putin reiterated Russia's active support for Iran's full membership in both the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS. He expressed the importance of quickly formalizing the cooperation agreement and thanked Pezeshkian for his commitment to making a separate trip to facilitate this process.

Highlighting the strategic nature of their relationship, Pezeshkian referred to Russia as a "friendly" nation and stressed the importance of direct communication if any issues arise in advancing the agreement. 

He also noted that "BRICS members can help to disrupt US totalitarianism," indicating a broader geopolitical context to their collaboration. Additionally, both leaders agreed to prioritize discussions on issues concerning West Asia and Syria in their ongoing dialogue.

Iran, Ethiopia say Western support main fuel of Israeli crimes

During a meeting with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Pezeshkian said that any potential Israeli act of aggression against Iran would be met with a “decisive and unbelievable” response from the Islamic Republic.

“We are not inclined towards the expansion of conflict and tension in the region, and welcome any action that is in line with peace and calm,” Pezeshkian said, adding, “The Zionist regime’s actions, however, are being carried out with the precise aim of setting the entire region on fire.”

Pezeshkian cited the regime’s assassination of the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas’s former Political Bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31, only a day after his presidential inauguration, as an instance of the regime’s attempts at obstructing the Islamic Republic’s goal of enhancing relations and cooperation with the countries of the world.

He considered Western countries’ support for the regime to be instrumental in the continuation of its atrocities, urging those countries to take action towards controlling the regime.

The Ethiopian official, for his part, said his country was “following the developments in your (the West Asia) region with concern.”

The prime minister also praised Iran as a "strong and independent" country, which was well-recognized in Ethiopia, saying his country’s people maintained a positive image of Addis Ababa’s bilateral relations with Tehran.