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In New York, the Iranian delegation can engage major energy-consuming countries and emphasize the importance of keeping commercial trade and energy markets open. Iran can discuss longer-term arrangements with oil buyers, including stable supply agreements and settlement mechanisms that reduce exposure to the US financial system.
Maritime cooperation is another important area. Iran can engage countries with major shipping, insurance and port industries to explore legal and commercially viable ways of maintaining trade flows. Cooperation among regional ports can also become more important if conventional routes face restrictions.
Iran can present itself as a reliable energy and trade partner and seek support for maintaining normal commercial navigation. New York offers an opportunity to build diplomatic backing for these arrangements and establish direct contacts among governments, energy companies, traders and financial institutions.
What role can BRICS, regional partners and alternative financial mechanisms play in helping Iran maintain access to trade and finance as US sanctions become more comprehensive?
BRICS and Iran’s regional partnerships can become increasingly important as Washington expands financial sanctions and secondary sanctions. However, these mechanisms need to move from political declarations toward practical economic arrangements.
In New York, Iranian officials can discuss expanding trade settlements in national currencies and developing banking channels that do not depend heavily on the US dollar. Iran can also promote cooperation among banks, export credit institutions and development banks in BRICS and neighboring countries.
The New Development Bank can be another part of this discussion, particularly in infrastructure and development projects. Iran can seek greater participation in projects involving transport, energy, logistics and regional connectivity.
Regional cooperation is equally important. Improving customs procedures, transportation links and payment arrangements with neighboring countries could reduce trade costs.
No single alternative can replace the global financial system overnight. Iran therefore needs a network of mechanisms, including local-currency trade, regional banking, development finance and stronger economic ties with BRICS members.
Beyond opposing sanctions, what concrete economic proposals could the Iranian delegation put forward in New York to encourage other countries to continue investing and trading with Iran?
Iran can use the General Assembly to present a clear economic message that cooperation with Iran should be based on long-term commercial interests rather than short-term political pressure.
The delegation could present specific investment opportunities in energy, petrochemicals, transportation, mining, agriculture and infrastructure. Instead of making general calls for cooperation, Iran can offer concrete projects, investment frameworks and partnership models that foreign companies can examine.
Regional connectivity is another major opportunity. Iran’s geographical position gives it the potential to connect Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Persian Gulf and South Asia. Railways, ports, transit corridors and logistics projects can therefore be presented as regional projects rather than purely Iranian ones.
Iran can also seek support for insurance and financial mechanisms that allow international companies to participate while managing sanctions-related risks.
The New York meetings should therefore be viewed as an opportunity to create an economic network around trade, investment and connectivity. The aim is not simply to ask countries to oppose US sanctions, but to show that continued economic engagement with Iran can also serve their commercial and regional interests.