Iran joins BRICS as Russia assumes the group’s chairmanship

BRICS leaders invited Iran to become a member from 1 January 2024, extending Tehran’s institutional links with a grouping that includes Russia.

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited Tehran and met Iranian armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri, discussing military cooperation and regional security.

Russia said it would no longer need to observe UN restrictions on missile-technology cooperation with Iran once the relevant provisions expired on 18 October.

Raisi met Putin in Moscow to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments, continuing high-level dialogue as trade and political relations expanded.

Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union, including Russia, signed a full free-trade agreement, providing a framework intended to expand the earlier interim trade arrangement.

Javad Owji and Alexander Novak co-chaired the Iran–Russia economic commission in Tehran, concluding cooperation discussions and signing documents across economic sectors.

Iran’s domestically developed Pars 1 research satellite was launched by a Russian Soyuz rocket from Vostochny Cosmodrome, extending space cooperation between the two countries.

Iranian, Russian and Chinese naval ships sailed to designated waters to conduct the maritime training phase of their Security Bond 2024 joint exercise near the Gulf of Oman.

Raisi congratulated Putin on his re-election during a telephone conversation. The presidents discussed further coordination through the SCO and BRICS.

Amir-Abdollahian initiated a telephone conversation with Lavrov after Iran’s attack on Israel. The ministers discussed regional escalation and warned against further dangerous actions.