Economic Minister and Plan of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Faisal al-Ibrahim, spoke at the Davos World Economic Forum: “We have received an invitation to join the BRICS, as well as many other multilateral platforms in the too past. Currently, we are evaluating many aspects before making a decision. ”
According to Asia Times, the reason why the world's leading oil export country delayed this decision was not only related to foreign policy but also from Western pressure, complex relationships with Iran, also As strategic consideration in maintaining balance between powers.
Avoid being "framed" to be against the West
Although BRICS claims not a Western anti -Western coalition, in the eyes of many Western politicians and media, BRICS is still considered a counterweight with the US and its allies.
If Saudi Arabia officially joined BRICS, Riyadh is at risk of being labeled to leave the West - what Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) did not want.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has pursued a "multilateral" foreign policy, learning from India in maintaining good relationships with both the West and other countries of the group "Most World" (World Majority ) like China and Russia. However, a strong move towards BRICS can cause the West to react negatively, affecting the economic and security benefits of this kingdom.
Iranian issue and the red sea crisis
The fact that Iran is a BRICS member is a difficult factor for Saudi Arabia. Although Riyadh and Tehran restored diplomatic relations in 2023 under the mediator of China, the confrontation between the two countries has not completely disappeared.
Tehran is supporting Houthi in Yemen - a force that has continuously attacked important maritime routes in the Red Sea, directly affecting Saudi Arabia's economic benefits. Moreover, Iran also supported Hamas, a force that carried out an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, causing the Indian - Middle East - Middle Economic Corridor (IMEC) to delay.
IMEC is considered one of the strategic projects that help Saudi Arabia become a commercial connection center between Asia and Europe.
If Riyadh joined BRICS at this time, they will officially be "a battle line" with Iran in an international organization, which can cause internal instability and weaken the efforts of balancing the relationship of the relationship of the relationship. Saudi Crown Prince Arabia.
Pressure from the US and Israel
In addition to Iran, another important factor is the pressure from the US and Israel - two important partners in the IMEC project. Both countries did not want to see Saudi Arabia joined an organization that Iran was also a member, especially when the conflict in Gaza and tensions at Lebanon had just temporarily settled down.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman needs the support of the US and Israel to promote Imec, which is an important part of the "2030 vision" plan to modernize the Saudi Arabia economy. The officially joining Riyadh can cause BRICS to make Washington and Tel Aviv lose confidence, affecting investment commitments and technology cooperation.
In particular, President Donald Trump has imposed a "maximum pressure" policy on Iran and has a negative view of BRICS. He also misunderstood that BRICS is seeking to create a common currency to replace the dollar - what can make him react fiercely if Saudi Arabia joins this bloc.
A hasty decision of Saudi Arabia can cause the US to withdraw from IMEC or set adverse conditions for Ridyah.
With the pressure from the US, Israel, Iran's issue and especially the policies of President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia may continue to "buy time" and do not make a decisive decision about joining BRICS in BRICS in in the near future.
