Shanghai Cooperation Organisation condemns attacks on Iran, issues first nuclear security declaration

Sep 1, 2026

At the 25th anniversary summit in Bishkek, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) signed the Bishkek Declaration condemning military strikes on Iran and opposing unilateral Western sanctions. The 10-member bloc, including India, Russia, and China, issued its first-ever dedicated declaration on nuclear safety and security to protect peaceful facilities. While backing Iran's NPT rights, the summit also saw India and Pakistan clash over cross-border terrorism.

SCO condemnation of Iran strikes

▪The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states signed the Bishkek Declaration condemning military strikes on Iranian territory that caused civilian casualties and economic damage.
▪The Bishkek Declaration did not explicitly name the United States and Israel, unlike the previous year's Tianjin Declaration which condemned their June 2025 strikes on Iran.
▪The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states expressed condolences over the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Iran NPT nuclear rights

▪The United States and Israel launched a war on Iran in February 2026, following initial U.S. bombing of Iran in 2025.
▪The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation backed Iran's rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to develop and use atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

Palestinian settlement for regional stability

▪Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on September 1, 2026, where Pezeshkian sought India's help to end the war.
▪The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation declared that a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian question is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East.

SCO nuclear security declaration

▪Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a stronger multilateral partnership for nuclear safety and security during his address at the Bishkek summit.
▪The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation issued its first dedicated declaration on nuclear safety and security, condemning attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities.
▪The nuclear security declaration called for stronger cooperation on regulation, emergency response, and combating illicit trafficking of nuclear materials.

Counter-terrorism cooperation framework

▪The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states committed to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism, rejecting double standards in the fight against terrorism.
▪Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged countries to dismantle the ecosystem of terrorist financing and safe havens, in comments widely interpreted as targeting Pakistan.
▪Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended his country's record, stating that Islamabad itself was a victim of terrorism and has made immense sacrifices.

Opposition to unilateral sanctions

▪The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation declared opposition to unilateral coercive economic measures that violate the rules of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
▪The member states agreed to implement the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Member States' Energy Cooperation Strategy to 2030 to expand mutually beneficial energy cooperation.