Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to raise the question of whether Iran should be invited to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during its upcoming meeting.

TASHKENT (Sputnik) � Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to�raise the question of�Iran�s accession to�the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during�the upcoming SCO foreign ministerial meeting, Russian Presidential Envoy for�the SCO Bakhtier Khakimov said Tuesday.

�There is a general understanding that Iran is an actual candidate in�joining the SCO as�an official full-fledged member and considering that sanctions are being lifted, we don�t see any obstacles. I know that our [foreign] minister will voice this and this topic is being discussed. Our minister will propose this,� Khakimov added,� Khakimov said.

The SCO is a political, economic and military alliance founded in�2001 by�Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus, Mongolia, Iran, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan hold observer status in�the organization.

By Sputnik News