![Russian President Vladimir Putin attends virtual meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Moscow, Russia on July 04, 2023 [Kremlin Press Office/Handout - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AA-20230704-31587482-31587478-RUSSIAN_PRESIDENT_PUTIN_ATTENDS_SCO_VIRTUAL_MEETING.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, discussed Iran’s possible future membership of the BRICS grouping during a phone call on Thursday, Russian state news agency, TASS reported, citing the Kremlin, Reuters reports.
The BRICS grouping of emerging economies – comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – is due to discuss its possible expansion at a summit in South Africa next month.
Putin and Raisi also reaffirmed their support for further developing bilateral ties in trade, transport and logistics, and energy, TASS reported.