Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a round of bilateral meetings on 7 July at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, underscoring Tehran’s bid to widen its diplomatic reach as it seeks full membership in the grouping. Araghchi conferred with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on expanding political and economic cooperation, according to statements carried by Russian and Iranian media. Separately, he met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss regional security and humanitarian issues. The Iranian minister also spoke with Bolivia’s president in another sideline session. The flurry of diplomacy comes as BRICS members debate enlargement and closer economic coordination in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions. Iran, which joined the bloc’s extended partnership framework last year, is pressing existing members for stronger backing on sanctions relief and investment.