Iran Wishes to Fast-Track BRICS Membership Bid
Iran has approached South Africa to collaborate in expediting its application to become a member of the BRICS group of nations.
The upcoming summit in Johannesburg from August 22 to 24 will feature prominent BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Countries such as Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Argentina have also expressed interest in joining the group and plan to attend the summit.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, expressed his desire for South Africa’s assistance in accelerating Iran’s membership process. He emphasized that Iran views this as an opportunity to establish positive relations with BRICS member states. Abdollahian conveyed his hopes during a joint media briefing with South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, in Pretoria.
Abdollahian stated, “We aspire for the Islamic Republic of Iran to achieve accelerated BRICS membership with the robust support of South Africa’s government and other member nations.” He believes that Iran’s inclusion in BRICS would contribute to strengthening multilateralism. Notably, he highlighted that countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Indonesia, and others interested in joining BRICS are all considered friends of Iran.
Abdollahian revealed that President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa had invited Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and this visit would provide an opportunity to elaborate on Iran’s stance on BRICS. A recent meeting among representatives of BRICS nations in Tehran also explored the potential for collaboration between Iran and the bloc.
READ MORE: One DeFi Altcoin is Positioning Itself for an Expontential Rally
In response to Iran’s invitation to the BRICS summit, Pandor clarified that the intention is not to establish an “anti-West” alliance. This clarification is significant given Iran’s strained diplomatic relations with the United States and imposed sanctions. Pandor noted that Iran was among 67 countries personally invited by Ramaphosa, and this decision received unanimous backing from fellow BRICS leaders.
The summit is expected to announce an expansion of the bloc and address economic matters, including the prospect of introducing a common currency to facilitate trade within the bloc. Pandor and other BRICS officials have previously indicated that the feasibility of adopting a common currency will be a topic of discussion at the summit.
This initiative aims to shield the bloc from the repercussions of higher US interest rates and the use of the US dollar for sanctions by Washington.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at CoinsPress
Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over five years of experience covering the industry, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics - stay ahead of the curve with CoinsPress.
