SCO Condemns Iran Attacks and Sanctions at Bishkek Summit

Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have condemned military attacks on Iran, criticised sanctions imposed by Western countries and reaffirmed Tehran's right to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme.

The positions were outlined in the Bishkek Declaration, adopted at the end of a two-day SCO summit in the Kyrgyz capital.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were among the leaders who endorsed the declaration.

The SCO includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Strong condemnation of attacks on Iran

The organisation condemned military strikes against Iranian territory, saying the attacks had caused civilian deaths and significant economic damage.

SCO members said the US and Israeli military action violated international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, warning that such attacks posed serious risks to regional and global stability.

The declaration expressed condolences to the Iranian people and government over the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as to families who lost relatives in the conflict.

The organisation also reaffirmed its support for Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for the conflict to be resolved through political and diplomatic negotiations.

The SCO additionally criticised Israel's military actions in Palestine, saying the conflict had contributed to instability across West Asia.

The declaration argued that a comprehensive and fair settlement of the Palestinian issue remained essential to achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.

Opposition to unilateral sanctions

Although the declaration did not specifically identify individual sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, SCO members rejected what they described as "unilateral coercive measures" that conflict with United Nations and World Trade Organization principles.

The leaders warned that such measures could damage international trade and have wider consequences for the global economy.

The position comes as Russia continues to face extensive Western sanctions over its war in Ukraine, while Iran remains subject to sweeping US sanctions and restrictions on international business involving Tehran.

SCO backs Iran's nuclear rights

The organisation also strongly supported Iran's rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

SCO members said countries that are parties to the treaty have an "inalienable right" to develop, research and use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

They argued that countries should be able to pursue civilian nuclear programmes and international cooperation in nuclear science without discrimination.

The issue has become increasingly contentious as tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States have escalated.

Washington has repeatedly accused Tehran of seeking the capability to develop nuclear weapons, while Iran has consistently rejected the allegations and maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes.

The 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major world powers placed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities, including limits on uranium enrichment, in return for sanctions relief.

However, the United States withdrew from the agreement during Donald Trump's first presidency and subsequently restored sanctions against Iran.

The conflict intensified further after the US launched military action against Iran in 2025 and, alongside Israel, began a broader war in February 2026, with Washington arguing that its objective was to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Trump has subsequently demanded that Iran abandon its domestic uranium-enrichment programme altogether.

Tehran has rejected that demand, arguing that giving up enrichment would undermine rights guaranteed to it under the NPT.

The SCO declaration effectively endorsed Iran's position, stating that restrictions on peaceful nuclear development were contrary to international law.

Economic and energy cooperation

Economic and energy cooperation were also major issues at the summit as the conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt international trade and energy markets.

Fighting and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have affected shipping, global supply chains and energy prices, while creating additional pressure on financial markets.

SCO members pledged to promote an open, transparent and non-discriminatory international trading system based on established global rules.

They also committed to implementing the organisation's Economic Development Strategy through 2030, with the aim of expanding trade and strengthening financial cooperation among member states.

Energy cooperation was another priority.

The leaders backed greater collaboration in the energy sector and agreed to implement the SCO Energy Cooperation Strategy through 2030, seeking to strengthen long-term cooperation between major energy-producing and consuming countries within the organisation.

India and Pakistan clash over terrorism

Relations between India and Pakistan also featured prominently during the summit, with both countries reiterating opposing positions on terrorism.

India has for decades accused Pakistan of supporting armed groups operating against India, particularly in relation to the disputed Kashmir region.

Pakistan has rejected allegations that it systematically sponsors militant groups, while in recent years Islamabad has accused India of supporting armed groups targeting Pakistan. New Delhi has denied those claims.

During the summit, Modi described terrorism as a major threat to humanity and called for countries to reject what he called "double standards" in dealing with militant groups.

He urged the international community to target terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.

Modi also called for countries that use terrorism as a tool of state policy to be held accountable, in comments widely interpreted as being directed at Pakistan.

Sharif, meanwhile, stressed Pakistan's own losses in the fight against terrorism and said Islamabad remained committed to opposing terrorism in all its forms.

The Bishkek Declaration called on SCO members to intensify their efforts against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The organisation said terrorism should be opposed regardless of its form or origin and declared that double standards in combating terrorism were unacceptable.

The leaders also called for greater international cooperation to prevent the cross-border movement of militants and strengthen efforts to dismantle terrorist networks.