Two new countries - Iran and Argentina - have applied to join the increasingly influential BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - grouping, an Iranian official said Monday, according to news agency Reuters.

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 spokesperson said.

Argentina officials have not commented so far but a Russian foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the application. Argentina president Alberto Fernandez wrote on Telegram, “While the White House was thinking about what else to turn off in the world, ban or spoil, Argentina and Iran applied to join the BRICS."

Russia, meanwhile, has long been pushing to forge closer ties with Asian, South American and Middle Eastern countries and has intensified its efforts recently to weather sanctions imposed by Europe, the United States and other countries over its invasion of Ukraine.

On Monday, the US and other Western nations pledged unwavering support for Ukraine after 28 civilians were killed in Russian attacks, including a twin missile strike on a crowded shopping centre.

BRICS account for more than 40% of the world's population and about 26% of the global economy. China has by far the largest economy in the BRICS grouping, accounting for more than 70% of the group's collective $27.5 trillion economic might. India accounts for about 13%, with Russia and Brazil each accounting for about 7%, according to IMF data.

Image source: AP