Nuke Deal Could Result in Iran Joining Eurasian Security Bloc Led by Russia and China

Apart from other benefits Iran may accrue as a result of an international agreement on its nuclear program, Russia on Thursday held out another, long sought-after reward – membership in a growing Eurasian security bloc, which some observers view as a means to counterbalance the West and NATO.

 

After hosting a meeting in Moscow of foreign ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-states, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov gave the clearest indication yet that Iran’s decade-old bid to join the group will succeed.

 

“Iran has been actively engaging in SCO issues as an observer since 2005,” Lavrov said. “Bloc members have discussed Iran’s application for SCO membership and reached consensus to raise Iran’s status in the organization after its nuclear issue is solved.”

 

June 30 is the deadline for Iran and the P5+1 group – the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany – to reach a final agreement resolving the lengthy nuclear stand-off.

 

Ten days later Russia will host a summit of SCO leaders in the southern city of Ufa.

 

Last September, as Russia looked forward to holding the rotating presidency of the six-country bloc, Lavrov said that the SCO hoped to begin a long-deferred expansion “during the Russian presidency.”

 

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