The recent conflict in Iran is having significant economic, diplomatic, and security repercussions around the world. In this collection, experts from a range of middle power countries examine how developments in Iran are reshaping their own nations and international interests beyond.
Brazil’s response to the expanding conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran reflects a familiar middle-power strategy: diplomatic caution, rhetorical defense of international law, and a focus on managing economic spillovers rather than shaping the conflict itself. It also reinforces the conviction that, in a highly turbulent and increasingly unpredictable geopolitical environment, hedging is the best way forward, involving both the diversification of partners in areas such as technology, trade and defense, as well as a stronger emphasis on developing domestic capacities.
The Brazilian government has condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, stating that “the attacks occurred amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace, a position traditionally defended by Brazil in the region”. At the same time, Brazil has avoided aligning itself with Iran politically or militarily, and the government has also expressed solidarity with Gulf countries affected by Iranian missile and drone strikes, signaling that it does not support attacks against regional states or civilian infrastructure.
This approach reflects Brazil’s broader positioning within the Global South, where many countries have criticized the legality and destabilizing implications of the attacks, arguing that unilateral military action undermines international norms and increases the risk of wider regional conflict.
