A Report on Iran’s Active Diplomacy at the SCO Summit

WANA (Sep 03) – Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, in a note reviewing President Masoud Pezeshkian’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, described Iran’s presence as an example of active diplomacy.

According to Gharibabadi, the Iranian president delivered two separate speeches at the “Shanghai” and “Shanghai Plus” meetings, presenting initiatives to strengthen the organization’s role. These included a proposal to form a committee of foreign ministers to address regional crises, as well as the establishment of “special SCO settlement accounts” as a financial mechanism to mitigate the impact of sanctions.

Pezeshkian at the SCO Summit. Social Media / WANA News Agency

At the Shanghai Plus summit, Pezeshkian highlighted the need for building a more peaceful world, Iran’s geographic advantage for joining the Belt and Road Initiative, Tehran’s readiness for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue, and support for China’s “Global Governance Initiative” as a step toward greater international justice.

Gharibabadi also pointed to the adoption of over 20 documents in areas such as security, drug control, artificial intelligence, green industry, sustainable energy, multilateral trade, and scientific cooperation. In their final declaration, SCO member states condemned U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran in June 2025 as a “blatant violation of international law,” stressing the permanent protection of nuclear facilities and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Signing of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit documents by the President of Iran. Social Media / WANA News Agency

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, Iranian proposals were also reflected in the summit’s outcome, including the establishment of a Strategic Security Studies Center, a task force for essential medicines and equipment, a cooperation mechanism on emerging technologies, and an industrial insurance union.

The summit also featured intensive bilateral meetings by President Pezeshkian:

With China: President Xi Jinping described Iran as a strategic partner, condemned the attack on Iran as a violation of international law, and said: “Force is never a solution. We are ready to expand future-oriented relations with Iran.”

Iranian President Meets Chinese Counterpart on September 02, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency

With Russia: President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of the long-term comprehensive agreement and the free trade accord with the Eurasian Economic Union, noting ongoing coordination between Tehran and Moscow on regional issues.

With Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Islamabad “constructive and beneficial,” adding that it had boosted enthusiasm among Pakistani business circles. He also stressed the need for Islamic unity in defending Palestinian rights.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Social media/ WANA News Agency

With Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear activities, warning that triggering the “snapback mechanism” would be “completely counterproductive.” He announced plans to visit Tehran soon to advance joint cooperation.

With Tajikistan: President Emomali Rahmon praised the growing bilateral ties and strongly condemned the military strikes against Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in China on September 01, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency

With the UN Secretary-General: António Guterres stated: “I am convinced that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful” and noted that he had conveyed this position to the European parties to the JCPOA.

The SCO summit, which began on August 31 in Tianjin, brought together leaders and representatives from over 30 countries and international organizations, resulting in a wide range of agreements and joint statements.