Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Arrives in Kazan for 16th BRICS Summit
Kazan, The Gulf Observer: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Kazan, Russia, on Tuesday evening to attend the 16th BRICS Summit, marking Iran’s first participation in the summit as an official and permanent member of the BRICS+ bloc. President Pezeshkian is accompanied by key figures, including the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, the Minister of Oil—who heads the Iranian side of the Joint Economic Cooperation Commission with Russia—the President’s Office, and the Deputy President’s Office for Political Affairs.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also set to join the president’s delegation following consultations with authorities in Bahrain and Kuwait. His arrival further strengthens Iran’s presence at the summit, which aims to foster international cooperation in various sectors.
Before departing from Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, President Pezeshkian expressed optimism about reaching critical agreements in energy, industry, trade, and tourism during his visit. He highlighted that BRICS, an alliance founded to promote unity among its members and challenge U.S. dominance, presents a unique opportunity for enhanced collaboration on global economic and political issues.
“This visit will provide an important opportunity to engage with the leaders of Russia, China, India, and other nations attending the summit. It also presents a platform to discuss shared concerns about U.S. unilateralism and how we, as BRICS members, can address it,” Pezeshkian remarked.
The Iranian president is scheduled to deliver three speeches at various sessions throughout the summit, where he will present Iran’s position on BRICS cooperation. Additionally, he is expected to hold bilateral discussions with several attending heads of state, further strengthening relations between Iran and other BRICS+ members.
The 16th BRICS Summit, taking place in Kazan, Tatarstan, kicked off on Tuesday and includes key members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Following the expansion of the bloc last year, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE joined as permanent members under the BRICS+ framework. Established in 2009, BRICS has evolved into a major platform for economic and geopolitical collaboration, offering its members a counterweight to U.S. influence on the global stage.
Iran’s participation as a full member marks a significant milestone in its international diplomacy, as it seeks to enhance its role in shaping the global economic order through BRICS partnerships.
