Foreign Min Signs MoU w/South Africa, Presses On BRICS Membership

Iranian Foreign Minster Hossein Amirabdollahian has signed a memorandum of understanding alongside his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor at the conclusion of deliberations of the Joint Economic Cooperation Commission between the two nations. Earlier, Amirabdollahian called for the gov't of South Africa to support Iran joining the BRICS group of nations, saying, “We hope to obtain the opportunity of accelerated membership under strong support we hope to receive from South Africa,”

• Amirabdollahian also stated that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended an invite to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi for the upcoming 24 August 'Friends of BRICS' summit in Johannesburg. Iran's efforts to join the bloc are running into obstacles, with China and Russia in favour but India and Brazil opposed, while South Africa is seen as something of a swing vote.