Is Iran Part Of BRICS? Unpacking A Geopolitical Game Changer

Mr. Casey Boyer 18 Jun 2025

The global economic and geopolitical landscape is constantly shifting, and few developments have captured as much attention recently as the expansion of the BRICS bloc. For years, the acronym BRICS represented a powerful alliance of emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – aiming to reshape global governance. However, the question on many minds, particularly given recent geopolitical events, is: Is Iran part of BRICS? The definitive answer, as of early 2024, is a resounding yes, marking a significant moment for both Iran and the alliance itself.

Iran's journey to full BRICS membership has been a strategic move, reflecting its "look to the east" foreign policy and the bloc's ambition to broaden its influence. This article will delve into the timeline of Iran's accession, the mutual benefits and challenges that come with this new alignment, and what Iran's presence means for the future trajectory of BRICS and the broader international order.

The Road to Membership: Iran's BRICS Journey
- Initial Applications and the 15th BRICS Summit
- The Official Announcement and January 2024 Accession
Why Iran Sought BRICS Membership
- Economic Resilience and Sanctions Bypass
- Geopolitical Legitimacy and Strategic Partnerships
What Iran Brings to the BRICS Table
- Energy Resources and Economic Potential
- Geopolitical Leverage and Market Access
BRICS' Expanding Vision: More Than Just an Acronym
Geopolitical Implications and Challenges for Iran within BRICS
The Iran-Israel Conflict and BRICS' Stance
The Future Trajectory: What's Next for Iran and BRICS?
Conclusion

The Road to Membership: Iran's BRICS Journey

The journey for Iran to become a full member of the BRICS bloc has been a multi-stage process, reflecting the evolving dynamics of global power and Iran's strategic pivot towards non-Western alliances. For a nation that has long faced significant international sanctions, joining a powerful economic and political forum like BRICS represents a critical step in its foreign policy objectives.

Initial Applications and the 15th BRICS Summit

The idea of expanding the BRICS group has been discussed for several years, with numerous countries expressing interest in joining. Iran was among these eager applicants. During a summit in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 2, 2023, foreign ministers of BRICS nations met with representatives from Africa and the Global South. At this pivotal meeting, it was revealed that while Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates were not admitted as members during the 15th BRICS summit, they were among 22 countries applying for membership. This demonstrated Iran's early and strong commitment to joining the bloc, signaling its strategic intent to deepen relationships with these emerging economies.

The application process itself was complex, involving careful consideration by existing members. South African Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana had previously indicated that "there is a second batch of countries that are going to be added [to] BRICS. This means that there are plans for" further expansion. This statement underscored the bloc's intention to grow, paving the way for Iran and other nations to eventually join.

The Official Announcement and January 2024 Accession

The definitive answer to "is Iran part of BRICS?" came with the official announcement from the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that the BRICS member states agreed to admit Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia as full members. This landmark decision significantly expanded the bloc beyond its original five members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), transforming it into a group of eleven nations.

Following this announcement, Iran officially became a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies in January 2024. The other three nations that joined BRICS alongside Iran in January 2024 were the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Ethiopia. This formal inclusion marked a new chapter for Iran, integrating it into a powerful forum that aims to counter the Western order and foster greater South-South cooperation. Iran's President Raisi underscored the importance of this moment, stating that his visit to South Africa's Johannesburg was aimed at taking part in the BRICS meeting and declaring the foreign policy positions of the Islamic Republic, highlighting Iran's strong commitment to this new alliance.

Why Iran Sought BRICS Membership

Iran's strategic decision to pursue BRICS membership is deeply rooted in its long-term foreign policy objectives, particularly its "look to the east" policy. This policy emphasizes strengthening ties with Asian and other non-Western powers to diversify its economic and political partnerships and mitigate the impact of Western pressures. Joining BRICS offers a multi-faceted solution to some of Iran's most pressing challenges.

Economic Resilience and Sanctions Bypass

For decades, Iran has grappled with extensive international sanctions, primarily imposed by the United States and its allies. These sanctions have severely impacted Iran's economy, limiting its access to global financial systems, technology, and markets. Joining BRICS, which includes economic giants like Russia and China, presents a crucial pathway to bolstering its economic resilience. As the data suggests, joining BRICS "could help Tehran bypass economic sanctions and take part in global growth."

The bloc's focus on developing alternative financial mechanisms, such as local currency trade and a potential BRICS common currency, could offer Iran new avenues for trade and investment that are less susceptible to Western financial leverage. Ministers from different sectors in Iran have stressed the need for quick action on joint projects, reflecting a unified government effort to make BRICS a key part of Iran’s economic recovery and strategy. This strategic alignment is seen as an opportunity to attract domestic investment and secure technology transfers, which are vital to address Iran’s energy shortages and boost production in key sectors.

Geopolitical Legitimacy and Strategic Partnerships

Beyond economic benefits, BRICS membership offers Iran significant geopolitical advantages. It provides a platform for Iran to enhance its international legitimacy and pursue more trade and financial partnerships with its allies. The move could boost Iran's standing on the global stage, offering a counter-narrative to its isolation by some Western powers. As a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South, BRICS allows Iran to engage in coordinated efforts on various international issues.

For instance, many BRICS countries have historically opposed the UN condemnation of Russia’s war in Ukraine and have sought common positions on complex issues like the Iran nuclear program and conflicts in Afghanistan, Gaza, and Libya. This alignment on critical global issues strengthens Iran's diplomatic position and provides a forum where its perspectives are heard and potentially supported by influential non-Western nations. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that Iran’s membership in the BRICS group "would result in added values for both sides," emphasizing the mutual benefits of this strategic partnership.

What Iran Brings to the BRICS Table

The question of "is Iran part of BRICS?" is not just about Iran's gains; it's equally about what value Iran adds to the existing bloc. For BRICS, the expansion, particularly with the inclusion of Iran, represents a strategic move to enhance its economic weight, geopolitical influence, and resource control. Iran offers a unique set of assets that can significantly strengthen the alliance's collective power and strategic objectives.

Energy Resources and Economic Potential

One of Iran's most significant contributions to BRICS is its vast natural resources, particularly oil and gas. Iran possesses some of the world's largest proven reserves of both, making it a crucial player in global energy markets. With Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE now as members, BRICS countries collectively produce about 44% of the world's crude oil. This substantial control over global energy supplies provides BRICS with considerable leverage in international energy politics and markets.

Beyond energy, Iran offers a large and relatively untapped consumer market of 88 million people. This presents a significant opportunity for other BRICS nations to expand their trade and investment activities. The availability of cheap labor within Iran further enhances its appeal as a potential manufacturing and production hub for BRICS members looking to diversify supply chains. As stated in the provided data, BRICS "can use Iran’s internal economic capacities, such as cheap labor, rich natural resources of oil and gas, and the consumer market of 88 million people." This economic synergy is a key driver behind Iran's inclusion.

Geopolitical Leverage and Market Access

Iran's strategic geopolitical position is another invaluable asset for the BRICS bloc. Located at the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, Iran offers crucial transit routes and access to diverse markets. Its geographical location can facilitate trade corridors, particularly for landlocked Central Asian nations, and enhance connectivity between BRICS members across continents. This strategic depth strengthens BRICS' overall geopolitical standing and its ability to project influence across key regions.

For BRICS, "Iran represents a great opportunity." Europe has long looked at the Islamic Republic with interest given its enormous unexploited potential but wasn’t able to access it because of sanctions. With Iran now a BRICS member, and with the bloc's stated aim to counter the Western order, there is potential for new economic and trade relationships to flourish outside traditional Western-dominated frameworks. This expansion of economic and geopolitical reach aligns perfectly with BRICS' broader ambition to establish a more multipolar world order.

BRICS' Expanding Vision: More Than Just an Acronym

The expansion of BRICS, particularly with the inclusion of Iran, signals a profound shift in the bloc's identity and ambitions. Originally conceived as an economic grouping of fast-growing emerging markets, BRICS has increasingly evolved into a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South. The move to admit six new members—Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—demonstrates a clear intent to broaden its influence and challenge the existing unipolar global order.

With these new additions, BRICS now represents a significant portion of the world's population, landmass, and economic output. The group, now comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Argentina, and Iran, serves as a powerful voice for nations seeking alternatives to Western-centric institutions and policies. Russia, for example, explicitly sees BRICS as "part of its fight against the West, helping it to overcome the" challenges it faces. This sentiment resonates with other members who seek greater autonomy and a more equitable global governance structure.

The expanded BRICS is not merely an economic club; it's a strategic alliance fostering coordination in diverse areas, from trade and finance to security and diplomacy. The fact that many BRICS countries opposed the UN condemnation of Russia’s war in Ukraine and have sought common positions on complex geopolitical issues like the Iran nuclear program and conflicts in Afghanistan, Gaza, and Libya, underscores its growing political cohesion. This collective stance on international affairs highlights the bloc's potential to shape global narratives and policies, offering a significant counterweight to traditional Western dominance. The future plans for a "second batch of countries that are going to be added [to] BRICS" further solidify its long-term vision of a truly global and influential alliance.

Geopolitical Implications and Challenges for Iran within BRICS

While Iran's membership in BRICS offers substantial benefits, it also comes with a complex web of geopolitical implications and potential challenges. The very act of joining a bloc that explicitly aims to counter the Western order inherently carries risks, particularly for a nation already under severe international scrutiny and sanctions.

One immediate challenge for Iran is navigating the existing geopolitical tensions and sanctions that remain in place. Despite its BRICS membership, Iran will continue to face the realities of these punitive measures, which could limit the immediate economic benefits of joining the bloc. While BRICS aims to create alternative financial pathways, fully bypassing the global financial system dominated by Western currencies and institutions will be a long and arduous process. The move could boost Iran's legitimacy and trade, but it will also "face geopolitical tensions and sanctions," as explicitly stated in the provided data.

Furthermore, Iran's foreign policy positions, particularly its adversarial stance towards certain Western powers and its involvement in regional conflicts, could present diplomatic complexities within the BRICS framework. While the bloc generally supports a multipolar world, the individual members have diverse national interests and relationships. Balancing these varied interests while maintaining a unified front on key issues will require delicate diplomacy from Tehran. The conflict between Iran and Israel, for instance, has intensified, with unprecedented military strikes on both sides, posing a significant test for how BRICS members will respond and whether they will back Iran or Israel in this clash.

The Iran-Israel Conflict and BRICS' Stance

The recent escalation between Israel and Iran has drawn significant international attention, especially within the BRICS bloc. As the conflict intensifies, the question arises: How will each BRICS member respond, and will they back Iran or Israel in this clash? This situation highlights a critical test for the cohesion and strategic alignment of the expanded BRICS group, particularly given Iran's recent accession.

Despite its recent BRICS membership, Iran has found itself "alone facing the military escalation" in the immediate aftermath of the heightened conflict. This isolation underscores the fact that BRICS, while a political and diplomatic coordination forum, is not a military alliance with mutual defense clauses. Russia, a key BRICS member and a strategic partner of Iran, condemned Israel's actions but refused any military support to Tehran, explicitly citing a "partnership without mutual defense clause." This position from Russia is crucial, as it sets a precedent for how BRICS members might act – or not act – in direct military confrontations involving one of their own.

The diverse nature of BRICS members means that their responses to the Iran-Israel conflict will likely vary. While some members, like Russia and China, might offer diplomatic support or condemnations, others like India, Brazil, or South Africa, which maintain relations with both sides, might adopt more neutral stances, emphasizing de-escalation and dialogue. The conflict serves as a stark reminder that while BRICS aims for common positions on broad geopolitical issues, it does not necessarily translate into a unified front or military backing for individual members in specific conflicts. This nuance will be vital for Iran to understand as it navigates its new role within the bloc, recognizing the limits of collective security within an economic and diplomatic forum.

The Future Trajectory: What's Next for Iran and BRICS?

With Iran officially part of BRICS, the future trajectory of both the nation and the bloc is poised for significant developments. This new alignment is not merely symbolic; it sets the stage for concrete actions and strategic shifts that could reshape regional and global dynamics. For Iran, the focus will be on leveraging its new status to achieve tangible economic and diplomatic gains.

Pezeshkian’s goal, as indicated in the data, will be to attract domestic investment and secure technology transfers to address Iran’s energy shortages and boost production in key sectors. This will involve active engagement with BRICS members to foster joint ventures, facilitate trade in local currencies, and explore new avenues for infrastructure development. Iran will likely use the BRICS summit as an opportunity to pursue more trade and financial partnerships with its allies, as a part of the country’s “look to the east” policy. This meeting shows Iran’s strong commitment to deepening its relationship with BRICS in areas like economy, infrastructure, and diplomacy, with ministers stressing the need for quick action on joint projects reflecting a unified government effort to make BRICS a key part of Iran’s economic recovery and strategy.

For the BRICS bloc, Iran's inclusion reinforces its ambition to create a more multipolar world order. The collective economic power, particularly in crude oil production (44% of the world's crude oil with Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE as members), gives the expanded BRICS significant leverage. The group will likely continue to push for reforms in global financial institutions, promote alternative trade mechanisms, and advocate for the interests of the Global South. The long-term vision includes potentially admitting a "second batch of countries," further solidifying its role as a counterweight to established Western alliances.

However, challenges remain. The internal diversity of the expanded BRICS, with members holding differing political systems, economic priorities, and geopolitical alignments, will require continuous diplomatic efforts to maintain cohesion. The ongoing geopolitical tensions, as exemplified by the Iran-Israel conflict, will test the bloc's ability to navigate complex crises without fracturing. Despite these hurdles, Iran’s membership in BRICS represents a strategic pivot for both sides, promising to add significant value and reshape the contours of global power for years to come.

Conclusion

The question "Is Iran part of BRICS?" has been definitively answered with its official accession in January 2024. This marks a pivotal moment, transforming the BRICS bloc into an eleven-nation alliance and significantly altering the geopolitical landscape. For Iran, membership offers a crucial pathway to economic resilience, a potential bypass for sanctions, and enhanced geopolitical legitimacy through strategic partnerships with powerful emerging economies. It aligns perfectly with its "look to the east" policy, aiming to diversify its global engagements and foster growth.

Conversely, Iran brings substantial value to BRICS, including vast energy resources, a significant consumer market, and a strategic geopolitical position that enhances the bloc's collective influence and control over global resources. The expanded BRICS, now a more formidable political and diplomatic forum, is poised to exert greater influence on international affairs, challenging traditional power structures and advocating for a more multipolar world.

While the journey comes with challenges, particularly navigating existing sanctions and regional conflicts without mutual defense clauses, Iran's commitment to the bloc is clear. This strategic alignment is set to unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and diplomatic coordination, promising to reshape global economic and political dynamics. As BRICS continues to evolve, Iran's role within it will be crucial to watch. We invite you to share your thoughts on this significant development in the comments below. How do you think Iran's BRICS membership will impact global affairs? For more in-depth analysis on geopolitical shifts and emerging economies, explore our other articles on global economic trends.

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