Iranian President calls for end to US regional presence at BRICS summit

During the BRICS summit held in India on September 12, 2026, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the Middle East no longer requires the United States to act as a regional police force. The remarks were made during a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as the Iranian leader emphasized that the security and territorial integrity of the region should be managed exclusively by local nations.

This rhetoric comes amidst a period of heightened tensions, as Iran and the United States remain in a state of conflict, particularly concerning control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Pezeshkian asserted that the countries of the region are fully capable of guaranteeing their own stability without external interference. No further follow-up actions or diplomatic developments regarding this statement were announced during the summit proceedings.