Iran FM Warns ‘Empires in Decline’ Lash Out

New Delhi - Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday that Tehran would never yield to U.S. pressure and warned that what he described as a declining imperial power was reacting aggressively to preserve its global position, as he urged BRICS nations to oppose what he called Western hegemony and unlawful military actions against Iran.

Speaking at a two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi hosted by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Araqchi said the Iranian people had stood "firmly and proudly" against what he described as aggression and coercion.

"It is a fragile reality. Imperial power in decline wants to turn back the clock, and is desperately lashing out on its way down," Araqchi said.

He added that pressure and military confrontation had historically strengthened rather than weakened Iran.

"It ought to be clear that Iran is unbreakable and only emerges stronger and more united when under pressure. While ready to fight with everything we have in defense of our freedom and our soil, we are equally ready to pursue and defend diplomacy," he said.

Araqchi's comments come amid continuing regional tensions months after conflict erupted following U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliatory actions that widened instability across the Middle East.

Iranian officials have repeatedly argued that military pressure and sanctions have failed to alter Tehran's strategic posture.

Addressing BRICS members, Araqchi accused Washington and Israel of carrying out what he called two unlawful acts of aggression against Iran in less than a year.

He said the actions had been justified using "false claims" that contradicted assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency and U.S. intelligence agencies.

"Like many other independent nations, Iran is the victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering," he said.

Araqchi warned that instability generated by conflict would ultimately damage all parties involved.

"Those who pursue reckless adventures may believe it furthers their geopolitical interests. But as consumers and governments around the world now sense and understand, regional instability is a lose-lose proposition for all sides--including the aggressors," he said.

The Iranian minister said Tehran's resistance represented more than a national struggle and reflected a wider challenge faced by emerging powers and developing nations.

He described BRICS as a symbol of a changing international order in which developing countries increasingly shape global politics.

"BRICS symbolizes the emergence of a new global order in which the Global South is a primary architect of the world's future," Araqchi said.

He added that "the battle Iran has fought is in defense of all of us--of the new world that we are building together."

Araqchi thanked BRICS countries for what he described as their solidarity with Iran and urged greater coordination to confront what he called U.S. exceptionalism and coercive policies.

He said Iran's confrontation with Washington reflected a broader experience shared by many countries.

"It is high time for us to jointly step up and work towards making clear that those practices belong in the dustbin of history," he said.

Araqchi also warned that periods of geopolitical transition historically create instability and unpredictable behavior by major powers.

"History has shown that empires in decline will stop at nothing to arrest their inevitable fates. A wounded animal will desperately claw and roar on its way down," he said.

The Iranian minister argued that crimes and violations of international norms persisted because of what he described as a culture of impunity.

"Crimes such as horrific genocide, shocking violations of the sovereignty of nations, and outright state piracy on the high seas can only take place if there is a sense of impunity," he said.

"That false sense of entitlement must be shattered, by all of us."

Araqchi urged BRICS member states and the wider international community to condemn what he described as violations of international law by Washington and Israel and to take stronger action against military escalation.

He said international institutions should not be politicized and called for efforts to halt what he termed warmongering.

Despite his criticism of Western powers, Araqchi said Iran remained committed to diplomacy and rejected military solutions.

"We Iranians never bow to any pressure or threat, but we reciprocate the language of respect," he said.

"As much as our powerful armed forces remain ready to exact devastating retribution on foreign aggressors, my people are peace-loving and do not seek war. We are not the aggressor in this sordid situation, but the aggrieved."

He concluded by describing BRICS as a potential pillar of a future international order.

"We believe that BRICS can--and must--become one of the principal pillars in shaping a more just, balanced, and humane global order; an order in which might can never make right."

"Nations which stand up for their dignity and independence may endure hardship, but they will never be defeated," he said.