Iran proposes defense cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organization members

On April 28, 2026, the Iranian Deputy Defense Minister attended a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan. During the event, Iran called on SCO member states to engage in the exchange of defense technology, including the sale and purchase of weapons between independent nations. The Iranian representative stated that Tehran is prepared to share its defense capabilities and experiences with partner countries. Concurrently, the Iranian official criticized the United States, asserting that it can no longer dictate policy to other nations and urging Washington to abandon its demands. The official also reported holding discussions with representatives from Russia and Belarus, who reportedly reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation with Tehran. While Washington is currently reviewing a new Iranian proposal regarding the conflict in the Middle East, the Iranian representative publicly characterized U.S. regional influence as a failure.