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Iran to become full member of Shanghai alliance: Russian FM

Gulf states are also seeking to join China and Russia in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdoulahian hold a joint press conference following their talks in Moscow on March 29, 2023.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian hold a joint press conference following their talks in Moscow, March 29, 2023. — Yuri Kochetkov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that Iran will be admitted to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a full member next month, further strengthening the Islamic Republic’s ties to China and Russia amid international isolation and sanctions.

Lavrov said that “Iran's full membership will be formalized” at the upcoming SCO summit on July 4, according to Russia’s official news agency TASS.

“From now on, the SCO space, taking into account both new members and dialogue partner states, stretches from Europe and the Middle East to South and Southeast Asia,” said the diplomat.

India will host the July summit, though it will be conducted virtually.

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