8216;BRICS will strengthen intl system8217;

Toner also allayed apprehensions that BRICS nations move towards a joint developmental bank will duplicate the efforts of other multilateral institutions.

The US also welcomed the commitment of BRICS nations Brazil,Russia,India,China and South Africa to Afghanistan8217;s future in supporting the global economic recovery.

Stressing that there were no differences with BRICS nations on the issue of import of Iranian oil,he said the US was 8220;engaged in close consultations8221; with governments on the requirements of its specific law.

8220;In all our consultations,we8217;re making very clear the importance of reducing reliance on Iranian oil,and also unwinding countries8217; business dealings with the Central Bank of Iran,and we8217;re going to continue those discussions,8221; he said.

Asked about the stand of BRICS nations over military options against Iran,Toner said President Barack Obama has already made it clear that 8220;no option has been taken off the table8221; and there was 8220;still time8221; for a diplomatic solution.