Nournews:The visit of Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s Minister of Interior, to Bishkek to attend the SCO Interior Ministers’ Meeting should be viewed within the broader framework of Iran’s foreign policy strategy aimed at deepening relations with regional countries. In recent years, Tehran has sought to address some of the challenges arising from international developments and external pressures by focusing on neighborhood diplomacy and regional cooperation, particularly through stronger engagement with Asian partners.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which has evolved into one of the most significant multilateral institutions in Eurasia, provides an important platform for political, security, and economic consultations among its members. Iran’s active role in the organization, especially following its full membership, offers a unique opportunity to strengthen strategic ties with major regional powers such as Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and the Central Asian states.

The Interior Minister’s remarks regarding the importance of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit indicate that, alongside utilizing multilateral mechanisms, Tehran continues to prioritize the development of direct relations with member states—an approach that can generate significant political, economic, and security benefits for the country.

Regional Security: A Shared Priority for Iran and SCO Members

One of the central themes of the Bishkek meeting was the examination of common security challenges facing member states. In recent years, the Eurasian region has confronted threats such as terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, organized crime, and instability linked to developments in Afghanistan.

Eskandar Momeni’s emphasis on the principle that regional security should be ensured by regional countries reflects a longstanding pillar of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy. Tehran argues that foreign interventions and policies based on double standards have not reduced crises; rather, they have often contributed to greater insecurity and instability.

In this context, cooperation among SCO member states can facilitate the creation of more effective mechanisms to address transnational threats. Shared security perspectives among Iran, Russia, China, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and other members provide substantial potential for enhanced intelligence-sharing, security coordination, and operational cooperation.

The Strategic Message Behind Iran’s Meetings with Pakistan and Tajikistan

The bilateral meetings between Iran’s Interior Minister and his Pakistani and Tajik counterparts were among the most notable developments on the sidelines of the Bishkek summit. Relations between Tehran and Islamabad have entered a phase of closer cooperation in recent months, particularly in the areas of border security, counterterrorism, and economic exchanges.

The discussions between the two sides can be viewed as part of broader efforts to strengthen cooperation against terrorist groups and prevent border insecurity. Such collaboration is particularly important because secure borders are a key prerequisite for economic development and the expansion of trade between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the shared emphasis by the interior ministers of Iran and Tajikistan on combating terrorism and utilizing the capacities of the SCO highlights the significant common ground between the two countries in both security and cultural spheres. Owing to its geopolitical position in Central Asia, Tajikistan is considered an important partner for Iran in advancing regional cooperation and expanding its soft-power influence.

Taken together, these meetings suggest that Tehran is developing a multi-layered network of cooperation with SCO member states—one that could contribute to greater regional stability and strengthen Iran’s position in Asia’s security landscape.

The SCO and Iran’s Role in Asia’s Emerging Order

Developments in recent years have demonstrated that the center of gravity of the global economy and international politics is gradually shifting toward Asia. In this context, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has emerged as one of the most influential institutions shaping a new regional order.

With its strategic geopolitical location, vast energy resources, transit networks, and historical ties with neighboring countries, Iran possesses considerable potential to play a significant role in this transformation. Active participation in specialized SCO meetings, including the gathering of interior ministers, forms part of Tehran’s broader effort to consolidate its position within emerging regional structures.

From a strategic perspective, the Bishkek meeting was more than a security summit; it also served as a platform for member states to demonstrate their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and reducing dependence on extra-regional mechanisms. In such an environment, Iran can expand its security, economic, and transit cooperation through active diplomacy and position itself as an influential player in Asia’s evolving multipolar order.