A new powerhouse for Iran
By Nozar Shafiei
University
professor
Membership in international organizations like BRICS is, in itself, a form of “institutional power” for countries. Iran’s membership in BRICS, as a form of institutional power, has opened up new opportunities and bestowed new powers upon the country. These opportunities include:
1. BRICS has its finger on the pulse of national, regional, and international issues, as well as all domains of politics, economy, security, science, and more. By joining the organization, Iran is bound to reap tangible benefits, and its presence in BRICS, as a trans-regional organization, defies the common perception that Iran is an isolated country.
2. BRICS is an institution that shares Iran’s vision for changing the global governance structure. Tehran has long been a vocal critic of the US-led unipolar world order and a proponent of multilateralism. This alignment of views reinforces Iran’s approach to governance.
3. BRICS shares concerns with Iran on issues like sanctions. For instance, regarding unilateral sanctions not approved by the UN Security Council, which China and Russia also face, BRICS takes a critical stance and condemns such illegal measures. This indicates that BRICS will move toward countering such sanctions.
4. BRICS has an economic structure that can boost its members’ economies, including Iran’s. The organization has a Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), payment arrangements, and the New Development Bank.
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