Iran has applied to become a member of the group of emerging economies known as the BRICS, an Iranian official said on Monday.
Iran’s accession to the BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, “would result in added value for both sides,” an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova separately said that Argentina had also applied to join the group. Argentine officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Argentine President Alberto Fernández, who is currently in Europe, has reiterated in recent days his desire for Argentina to join the BRICS.
“While the White House thought about what else it could shut down, ban or screw up in the world, Argentina and Iran applied to join the BRICS,” Zakharova said on the messaging app Telegram.
Russia has long been pushing to forge closer ties with Asia, South America and the Middle East, and has recently stepped up its efforts to resist sanctions imposed by Europe, the United States and other countries over its invasion of Ukraine. .
On Monday, the United States and other Western nations pledged unwavering support to Ukraine after 28 civilians were killed in several Russian attacks, including a missile attack on a crowded shopping mall.
Russia denies targeting civilians in what it calls a “special military operation” to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and its allies in the West say the war is an act of aggression without provocation.
Source: CNN Brasil
