Iran has officially become a full-fledged member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the BRICS group, despite facing significant external pressure, Tass reports.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Bagheri Kani, said this kind of pressure was not new to his country, which has consistently turned threats into opportunities.
During a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Damascus, aired on Iran’s SNN TV channel, Kani stated, “Despite external pressure, Iran joined the SCO and BRICS. Despite pressure from the US, Iran managed to assist Syria and Iraq in eradicating terrorism.”
Kani’s Middle Eastern tour also included discussions with Lebanese leaders on the situation in the Gaza Strip and continued support for Palestinian resistance. He is set to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.
Founded in 2006, the BRICS group initially comprised Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2011. Iran, along with Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, became full-fledged BRICS members on January 1, 2024. The SCO, established on June 15, 2001, initially included Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with India and Pakistan joining in 2017. Iran’s journey to full membership began with its application in 2008, culminating in its acceptance in July 2023.
