Iran Ioins BRICS

Iran has been invited to become a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies, whose leaders have held a meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, to discuss the bloc's expansion.

BRICS member states have also agreed to admit Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia as new members. Iran's invitation to the bloc has been described as a victory for Tehran and the failure of the US bloc to isolate the country.