Iran has applied to become a permanent member of the organization but countries sanctioned by the UN Security Council are not admitted.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)�� The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) welcomes the progress made at�recent talks on�Iran's nuclear program, the organization's head, Dmitry Mezentsev, told RIA Novosti.

On April 2, Iran and a group of�six international negotiators, including envoys from�Russia and the United States, agreed on�a framework for�a deal on�the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, which would ease sanctions against�Tehran in�exchange for�a more transparent nuclear program.

"We welcome the progress made at�the 'six-lateral' Iran talks. But we have to�be realists, it is clear that progress cannot be swift in�such a complex issue, but�we hope that serious results will be achieved in�the foreseeable future," Mezentsev said in�an interview.

According to�the SCO head, Iran has applied to�become a permanent member of�the organization but�countries sanctioned by�the UN Security Council are not admitted.

However, the organization acknowledges Iran's wishes to�increase its activity in�SCO in�its current state as�an observer, and feels that it has great potential in�this role. Mezentsev praised Iran's work in�the organization to�date.

The SCO comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan are the SCO observers.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a permanent intergovernmental body aimed at�promoting cooperation between�its members in�the spheres of�politics, trade, security, science, energy, and culture. The SCO's main goals include promoting security and stability in�the region.

By Sputnik News