Iran’s Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi addressed his counterparts from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s member states, calling for a more active role by the Organization in addressing threats in today’s world, IRNA reported on July 15.   

Araghchi reportedly made the remarks yesterday, while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Tianjin, China.

He called for a unified voice by the SCO member states, as a recognized voice of the Global South, in defending international law and multilateralism, and safeguarding the United Nations’ fundamental principles including the sovereign equality of nations and the prohibition of the use of force.

“The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which has vast geopolitical, economic, and human potential, can and indeed should play a central role in addressing emerging threats, especially state terrorism, military aggression, cognitive warfare, and unilateral sanctions,” said the top Iranian diplomat.

Araghchi further said that the SCO should not only safeguard the interests of its member states but also serve as a model for a responsible, balanced, and cooperative regional order.

“We believe that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is well positioned to serve as a cornerstone of the emerging multipolar world order, and firmly stand against unilateralism, warmongering, and attempts to undermine the sovereignty of nations,” he said.

Araghchi also presented Iran’s proposals to achieve that aim, including the formation of a mechanism to coordinate responses to acts of military aggression, sabotage acts, state terrorism, and the violation of the SCO member states’ national sovereignty.

The formation of a center to examine and confront unilateral sanctions, the establishment of a SCO regional security assembly, and the strengthening of media and cultural cooperation among the member states were other proposals put forward by the Iranian foreign minister, according to IRNA.

He also referred to the last month Israeli war of aggression against Iran, which the United States entered by bombing three major Iranian nuclear sites. Araghchi briefed participants in the meeting on the casualties and destruction caused by the aggression, while emphasizing the need for halting the impunity enjoyed by Israel, which he blamed for the regime’s crimes in West Asia.  

“In fact, Israel’s aggression against Iran is a direct result of the complete impunity mainly granted to the regime by the United States and certain European countries; the impunity that enables the regime to commit crimes in our region without fear of accountability,” the top Iranian diplomat added.