Iran says submitted to join 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 be 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, Iran's Foreign Ministry said.

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, who is currently in Europe, reiterated his desire for Argentina to join the BRICS.

While the White House was thinking of what else to do, such as ban or spoil, Argentina and Iran applied to join the BRICS, Zakharova wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Russia has been pushing for closer relations 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.

READ MORE: Inclusive BRICS offers scope for better global governance, growth and growth.