Iran and Russia criticize Western sanctions during BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Western economic sanctions on their economies during the BRICS Business Forum 2026 in New Delhi on September 11, 2026. Both leaders called for the BRICS bloc to deepen trade relations among member nations. Pezeshkian stated that BRICS must create an environment where no country can disrupt legitimate trade through monopolizing financial instruments or technology. He urged countries to expand the use of national currencies for transactions between member states. Pezeshkian described pressure on Iran as entering a dangerous phase, shifting from sanctions to military aggression by the U.S. and Israel. He noted that the conflict against Tehran impacts regional and global stability. The disputes have disrupted global energy markets and driven fuel prices sharply higher. On Friday, U.S. diesel prices reached $6 per gallon.