The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation issued a unified statement expressing serious concern over recent armed attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling the use of force unacceptable and urging an immediate halt to actions that could further destabilize the region. Member states emphasized that the only viable path out of the crisis is dialogue conducted in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter, grounded in mutual respect and consideration for legitimate interests.
The statement underscored the need to guarantee Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and offered condolences to the families of the victims while signaling solidarity with the Iranian government and people. In an unusual public move, the SCO explicitly called on the United Nations and its Security Council to act promptly to address conduct that undermines international peace and security, positioning multilateral diplomacy as the preferred remedy.
This intervention matters because the SCO has matured into a diplomatic platform that brings together heavyweight players — including China, Russia, India and Pakistan — alongside several Central Asian republics and Iran itself. The grouping’s emphasis on non-use of force and state sovereignty reflects core norms championed by Beijing and Moscow and offers Tehran political cover that contrasts with Western calls for punitive measures or unilateral responses.
The bloc’s appeal for UN action also throws a spotlight on the Security Council, where the votes of permanent members will shape any collective response. The SCO’s statement is a signal both of solidarity with Iran and of an attempt to steer international reaction toward negotiation and legal mechanisms rather than military escalation — but its impact will depend on how other global actors, notably the United States, European states, and regional powers, choose to respond.