April 23, The Iran Project � An Iranian parliamentarian says Iran joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will make US sanctions against Iran ineffective and increase the country's bargaining power in international transactions.

Speaking to a reporter on Sunday, Mohammad Javad Kolivand said Iran is seeking to boost its economic ties with different countries to enhance its industrial development.

Iran's full-fledged SCO membership will make West economic pressure against Iran ineffective, and expand Tehran's economic development in international arena, noted the Iranian lawmaker.

Stressing that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an economic alliance not a political one, Kolivand said we should not allow US and Western countries' demonizing Iran prevent the country's economic activities to be offered in the form of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

He also emphasized that Iran's active participation in the SCO will prove its economic strength and high bargaining power.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is an emerging economic and security alliance which is being touted as the counterweight to the West�s institutions.

After the removal of Western sanctions against Iran, Islamic Republic expected the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to give a serious reading to its bid for the full-fledged SCO membership but the body did not, prompting Tehran to take a back seat on its attempt.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lent weight to Iran joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), saying after Iran's nuclear problem was solved and United Nations sanctions lifted, there have been no obstacles left.