WANA (Oct 24) – The Executive Committee Director of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) announced that a joint counterterrorism exercise among SCO member states will be held in the Islamic Republic of Iran on December 4, 2025 (Azar 13, 1404).

 

Olarbek Sharshiev, who is currently visiting Tajikistan, told reporters that the exercise, titled “Sahand–Counterterrorism–2025,” will take place near the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz. He added that official invitations and detailed programs for the exercise will soon be sent to participating and observing countries.

 

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a Eurasian intergovernmental body established for multilateral security, economic, and political cooperation. Founded in 1996 by the leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan with the initial goal of combating terrorism, extremism, and separatism, the organization was later joined by Uzbekistan, and subsequently renamed as the SCO.

 

Initially viewed as a strategic counterweight to U.S. influence in Central Asia, the organization has since expanded its membership. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.

 

The 25th SCO Summit of Heads of State was held on August 31, 2025 (Shahrivar 9, 1404), in Tianjin, China, attended by leaders from over 20 countries — including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian — as well as representatives from 10 international organizations.

 

Current full members of the SCO are Iran, Russia, Belarus, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization