India, Sept. 11 -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday called for a stronger shift toward local currencies in BRICS trade, while pitching Iran's geography, energy resources and transport links as a strategic bridge for the bloc's economic connectivity.

Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum, Pezeshkian said BRICS must move beyond its economic potential and build a more integrated network of trade, investment and joint financing.

He argued that greater use of national currencies, backed by mechanisms to manage currency risks and reciprocal settlements, would make intra-BRICS trade less vulnerable to political shocks.

Pezeshkian also positioned Iran as a potential link in BRICS energy, food and transport supply chains, citing its...