Iran seeks membership of BRICS group

This undated photo shows the national flags of the BRICS countries from left Brazil, India, Russia, China and South Africa. A PHOTO AFP DUBAI - Iran has submitted an application to become a member of the group of emerging economies known as the BRICS, an Iranian official said on Monday.

Iran's membership in the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, would result in added values for both sides, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Argentina had also applied to join the group. Argentinian officials could not be reached for immediate comment.

Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez, currently in Europe, has reiterated his desire for Argentina to join the BRICS.

Argentina and Iran applied to join the BRICS, while the White House was thinking about what else to turn off, ban or spoil, said Zakharova on the Telegram messaging app.

Russia has been pushing to forge closer ties with Asia, South America and the Middle East for a long time, but it has recently intensified its efforts to deal with the sanctions imposed by Europe, the United States and other countries over the Ukraine crisis.

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