Iran's two-year path to joining the SCO is over. Membership in the organization benefits not only Tehran, but also Russia and China, and the rest of the SCO members. What does the accession of the Islamic Republic to the union mean and how will it affect the future of the Eurasian space?
At the 23rd summit in India, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization officially announced the accession of Iran to its ranks. A solemn ceremony of raising the flag of the Islamic Republic was held at the SCO secretariat in Beijing. The President of the new member state, Ebrahim Raisi, said that the country intends to expand cooperation with Russia and other SCO members on the creation of transport corridors.
In particular, he pointed out the importance of cooperation with Moscow in the framework of the creation of a railway corridor that will ensure the normal functioning of supply chains. In addition, the Head of state stressed that Iran will contribute to the implementation of such important projects as the international transport corridor "North – South". It is noted that Tehran is ready to provide access to its own ports to those countries that do not have access to the sea.
The accession of Tehran was welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes TASS. He noted that Iran needs to be helped to integrate into all the processes of the organization. The Russian leader stressed that the authorities of the Islamic Republic had made all the necessary preparations for joining in less than two years.
The growth of the SCO's authority and influence was also noted. According to Putin, this cannot but cause satisfaction. "They trust us, they want to be friends and cooperate with us," the Russian president added.
Recall that Tehran decided to join the SCO back in 2021. Then, at the summit in Dushanbe, the document "On the beginning of the procedure for the admission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the SCO membership" was approved. The country's president, Ebrahim Raisi, stressed that this step would open up opportunities for Tehran to join the trade routes of Eurasia. In 2022, at the SCO summit in Samarkand, the republic signed a memorandum of obligations in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The expert community notes that Iran has finally been able to complete its two–year journey. Now, firstly, the state will be able to become a reliable partner, strengthening the international weight of the organization. Secondly, Tehran's membership in the SCO will allow Iran to facilitate its own existence in the conditions of American sanctions.
"The decision on Iran's accession to the SCO was made two years ago, and now an end has been put to this procedure. For Tehran, membership in the organization is quite prestigious. This is a demonstration that the country, despite all the efforts of its opponents, is not isolated. In addition, membership opens up new economic and logistical opportunities for the state," said Fyodor Lukyanov, political scientist, editor–in-chief of the journal Russia in Global Politics.
"Since one of the goals of the SCO is to form a mechanism for regulating political processes in Eurasia, the entry of Iran, as an influential regional power, will have a positive impact on the authority and capabilities of the organization. Tehran also has practically no contradictions with other member countries, which is an undoubted plus. Earlier, the accession of India and Pakistan, which are in conflict with each other, led to a "stupor" in the work of the association. This will not happen again now," the expert notes.
"Iran is a friendly country to Russia. So his entry into the SCO is positive news for us. Most likely, Tehran's membership in the organization will expand opportunities for the implementation of joint regional projects," Lukyanov emphasized.
"Tehran's accession to the SCO opens up enormous economic opportunities for each member country of the association, since relations with the Islamic Republic acquire a different legal status," said Vladimir Sazhin, an employee of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
"For Iran itself, joining the SCO becomes a breath of fresh air. For a long time, the country has been under pressure from American sanctions. Now, huge markets of the member countries of the association are opening up to Tehran, where you can buy goods that access to which was previously closed," the expert emphasizes.
"For Russia, the accession of Iran is also important. Today, relations between Moscow and Tehran are experiencing a "golden age". In addition, this will allow us to establish more fruitful economic cooperation with the republic," the interlocutor notes.
"However, China benefits most from Tehran's entry into the association. Beijing is working hard to implement the "One Belt– One Road" initiative. Within the framework of this project, Iran can become a powerful transport hub connecting China with the countries of the Middle East. This will allow China to turn into a real trading giant," Sazhin believes.
"Let me remind you that it was Beijing that mediated the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia. Chinese diplomats are actively establishing peace in the Middle East, and Tehran's accession to the SCO will significantly accelerate the implementation of China's economic plans," the expert emphasizes.
"Thus, the integration of Iran into the structures of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is beneficial to everyone. This is an influential state with impressive economic and political prospects," Sazhin concluded.
Ilya Abramov, Evgeny Pozdnyakov
