Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh attended a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) gathering in China, marking his first trip abroad since a 12-day conflict with Israel. The two-day event brought together nine defense ministers from SCO member countries, including China and Russia.
Nasirzadeh expressed gratitude to China for its support of Iran’s stance during the conflict, which saw the US strike three Iranian nuclear facilities. He called for enhanced military collaboration among SCO countries to defend international fairness and justice.
The SCO gathering coincided with a meeting of NATO leaders in The Hague, where US President Donald Trump said the US would meet with Iran next week about a potential nuclear agreement. China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun did not directly address the conflict but highlighted Beijing’s role as a key player in promoting global security.
China has condemned Israel’s attack on Iran and criticized the US for its involvement in the conflict. The country remains Iran’s largest energy buyer, despite not reporting Iranian oil purchases since 2022. China has offered to work with all parties to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to combat terrorism and promote border security. While it aims to promote regional stability, the group faces challenges from overlapping interests and frictions among its member countries.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/26/china/iran-defense-minister-china-sco-intl-hnk