Russia, Iran, and China coordinate Eurasian integration

Russia, Iran, and China—referred to as the RIC triangle—are coordinating a new phase of Eurasian integration. As full members of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), these three states are working to establish a new international order through strategic maneuvers in key economic and maritime sectors.

Key components of this shift include Iran's influence over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, challenges to the SWIFT system, and efforts to bypass the influence of the U.S. Treasury. These actions aim to undermine the dominance of the petrodollar and the traditional financial systems used by Gulf Cooperation Council nations. Additionally, Russia is promoting the A7 international payment system, which is gaining popularity across parts of Africa and Asia despite sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.