Behnam Ben Taleblu

“It is quite key and important for policymakers in Washington to wake up and see how interconnected these state threats are becoming.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu urged U.S. policymakers to recognize the interconnected nature of these state threats.

“You can see Iran trying to benefit from its role in BRICS, as well as a constellation of other organizations, that really would allow itself to be shielded — or try to make itself more shielded — from U.S. political and economic pressure,”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu explained how Iran is using BRICS and other organizations to shield itself from U.S. pressure.

“They all have hostile intentions towards the U.S. and the liberal world order. They are authoritarians at home and creditors abroad. He also noted that even if Tehran’s economic goals within BRICS fail to fully materialize, the political and military backing it gets from Moscow and Beijing is significant.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu described the 'Axis of Aggressors' and 'Axis of Resistance' as hostile authoritarian networks.

“The Islamic Republic is looking to be more formally integrated into economic orders brought about by Russia and China, which are looking to contest the U.S. dollar as much as they're looking to contest U.S. power and influence.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu said Iran is seeking deeper integration into Russian- and Chinese-led economic orders.

“It needs to adapt not just to U.S. and Israeli military pressure, but this U.S. political and economic pressure.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu continued discussing Iran's need to adapt to U.S. and Israeli pressure.

“The linchpin between the state threats that the U.S. faces in the 21st century, from the Axis of Aggressors and the non-state threats in the Middle East, is the Islamic Republic of Iran,”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu called Iran the linchpin connecting state and non-state threats facing the U.S.

“It is actually a bridge for capabilities, money and technology from states to flow to non-state actors.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu described Iran as a bridge for capabilities, money and technology to non-state actors.

“So, even if what the Islamic Republic wants from the BRICS countries, particularly the likes of Russia and China, doesn't happen, that doesn't mean that political, economic and military support to this regime at a critical time is not happening.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu said Iran still benefits from Russian and Chinese support even if BRICS economic goals fail.

“The Islamic Republic is looking to survive, but in order to survive, it needs to adapt,”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu discussed how Iran is adapting to U.S. and Israeli pressure in comments to Fox News Digital.

“There's no doubt the Islamic Republic is looking to maximize its enmeshment with countries like Russia and China that have been subject to U.S. political and economic pressure in the past.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu said Iran is seeking closer ties with Russia and China, which have also faced U.S. pressure.

“In the short term, there is less transaction cost on this anti-American authoritarian order that is fast emerging than there is on the pro-American order.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu compared the costs of aligning with the anti-American versus pro-American order.

“Even limited technology and military flows from Russia to the Islamic Republic help it fight to survive, adapt and live another day to combat the U.S. order in the region,”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu said Russian military and technology support helps Iran withstand U.S. pressure.

“These are independent relationships that have been coming together. They have differences, but as an authoritarian axis, these are countries that are better able to manage their differences at present than it seems like America and the liberal western order are able to handle their differences.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu described the authoritarian axis of Russia, China, and Iran as more cohesive than the Western order.