On Monday at its annual summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) confirmed its support for Iran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy production, according to a statement made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Lavrov told reporters after an informal session of foreign ministers, which included China, Russia, India, Iran and several Central Asian states as members, that all their nations stood together in protecting Iran’s legitimate rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), particularly amid mounting tensions with Western powers.
“All member states of the SCO firmly support Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful uses,” Lavrov stated. “Any attempts at exerting pressure outside international legal frameworks would be totally inappropriate and unacceptable.”
Iranian nuclear activities have recently come under increasing scrutiny, particularly after an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report revealed they had enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels. Western governments, including the US and several EU states have expressed alarm that Tehran may be moving closer towards building nuclear weapon capabilities, which Tehran strongly denies.
Iran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a full member in 2023 and has consistently insisted its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and within international agreements’ legal boundaries. Iranian officials attending this summit underscored their country’s dedication to nonproliferation while calling on Western powers to stop taking what they see as “coercive measures”.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran expressed gratitude to member states for their support, saying he values their principled position and urges greater multilateral collaboration against politicized pressure campaigns and economic sanctions.
Lavrov strongly condemned what he termed as double standards in international discussions about nuclear issues, suggesting that Western powers use non-proliferation norms selectively while overlooking regional security considerations.
Respecting Iran’s rights does not equate with undermining global security,” Lavrov noted. Rather, it requires equal application of international law without politicization or politicized interpretations of it.
China followed in Russia’s footsteps and issued a parallel statement from their Foreign Ministry, calling for diplomacy and dialogue over Iran’s nuclear file. Beijing stated that threats and pressure are counterproductive and suggested that any acceptable solution should involve lifting sanctions on Iran while activating their 2015 nuclear deal, commonly known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Although the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation does not directly enforce international nuclear agreements, its unflinching support of Iran adds weight to its position on the global stage and increases diplomatic pressure for Washington and European governments to reconsider their approach towards Tehran.
Analysts claim the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s growing influence — particularly with energy-rich nations like Iran now on board — is altering Eurasia’s geopolitical balance.
“Astana sends an unmistakable signal,” stated regional analyst Dr. Leila Farzan. “Iran is no longer isolated in East Asia – and Western powers must recognize this.”
As diplomatic efforts continue, Iran can expect that the SCO’s position may strengthen their hand when any future negotiations take place regarding their nuclear program.