The potential accession of Iran to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is being viewed as a possible pivot point in global governance, hinting at a new, more multipolar balance that could complement or even rival aspects of the United Nations framework. Analysts discussed this evolution in a recent interview with NEWS.ru, where political scientist Karina Gevorgian offered her assessment. She noted that the SCO is gaining a trusted ally with a long record of resisting Western sanctions and challenging dominant influence from the United States, which could reshape regional diplomacy and economic cooperation.
Gevorgian emphasized that Iran’s entry would mark a significant milestone for the SCO and could translate into tangible benefits for the country itself. She pointed to the potential to strengthen national infrastructure and to open up new transport and transit corridors that would improve connectivity across Eurasia. In her view, Iran’s accession might hasten the SCO’s emergence as a robust regional platform offering an alternative model to the UN for addressing shared interests among member states.
According to the analyst, Iran ranks among the world’s more technologically advanced economies and possesses substantial natural resources along with a geostrategic position that adds value to the SCO’s collective capabilities. These attributes, she argued, could enhance the organization’s technological base, energy security discussions, and cross-border trade networks, while also diversifying supply chains that have become vulnerable under external pressure.
The SCO itself was established on June 15, 2001, through the initiatives of national leaders from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Since its founding, the organization has expanded its agenda to include security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange, drawing interest from additional partners seeking a voice in Asia-Pacific and Eurasian affairs. Iran’s potential accession is framed by observers as a natural evolution within this broader strategy of regional integration and collaborative development, particularly in energy, transportation, and infrastructural sectors.
Proponents of Iran’s formal entry highlight the possible acceleration of project lines that could connect southern and eastern corridors, optimising logistics for freight, energy, and people. They also anticipate a shift in how regional governance is organized, with the SCO serving as a forum for negotiations and common standards that may align with Iran’s domestic modernization programs. This alignment could yield a more cohesive approach to deterrence of external pressure, while increasing the SCO’s capacity to coordinate responses to shared security challenges and economic shocks.
Observers also consider the timing of Iran’s accession as strategically significant given the evolving geopolitical landscape. The India-led SCO summit, and the discussions surrounding Iran’s status, signal a broader trend toward greater regional autonomy within Asia. If the accession proceeds, the organization could become a more influential body in global economics and security policy, offering member states an alternative pathway to address issues ranging from sanctions to cross-border investment and technology transfer. The conversation around Iran’s role within the SCO thus touches on questions of legitimacy, sovereignty, and the balance of power in international institutions, with outcomes that could ripple through both regional and global arenas.
A number of analysts, drawing on patterns observed in past SCO activities, stress that the organization tends to emphasize pragmatic cooperation over ideological alignment. In this light, Iran’s participation is likely to center on practical projects, such as corridor development, trade facilitation, and collaborative research in technology and energy security. While the path to formal accession involves procedural steps and consensus among current members, the broader dialogue underscores a growing appetite for a diversified coalition that can operate independently of traditional Western-led structures while still engaging with them where interests intersect.
Ultimately, the discussion around Iran’s potential SCO accession reflects a broader editorial shift in international relations toward regional frameworks that can address contemporary realities. Observers suggest that the SCO’s evolution could serve as a bridge between rapid economic development and the preservation of strategic autonomy for its members. If realized, Iran’s entry may reinforce the SCO’s role as a key node in Asia’s security architecture, while also intensifying debates about the future architecture of global governance and the distribution of influence across continents.