Major General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), confirmed on Thursday that the Guard is fully prepared to offer unrestricted military support and expertise to member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Speaking during the launch of the final phase of the SCO anti-terrorism drills 2025, known as Sahand 2025, Pakpour emphasized Iran’s readiness to share its experience with SCO countries "without any limits."

In his statement, Pakpour underscored the unity and shared resolve among SCO countries to combat terrorism. He pointed to the significant presence of high-level military leaders, officers, and delegation heads as a clear sign of growing SCO counterterrorism coordination. "This wide participation reflects the close cooperation and a common will among SCO members in fighting terrorism," he noted, reinforcing Iran’s commitment to collective security.

The Sahand 2025 military exercises mark the final phase of joint anti-terrorism drills held under the SCO framework. The event is seen as a demonstration of deepening military and strategic ties between Iran and other SCO nations, as Iran seeks a more active role in regional security and SCO military support initiatives.

SCO praises Iran’s role in Sahand 2025

On Tuesday, a senior official from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) praised Iran’s firm commitment to counterterrorism efforts since joining the regional bloc, emphasizing Tehran’s active role in joint security operations.

Sergei Kysanyi, secretary of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure’s executive committee, said at a press briefing on Tuesday that Iran has demonstrated “strong determination” in confronting terrorist threats alongside other member states.

He highlighted the Sahand 2025 joint counterterrorism exercise, noting that its first phase, carried out from July 1 to August 1, focused on challenges posed by international terrorist organizations. The drill also incorporated assessments of the protection of critical infrastructure and key facilities across participating countries to evaluate their resilience to potential attacks.

The final stage of the Sahand 2025 exercise will be held in Shabestar, located in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Hosted by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, the five-day drill will bring together 18 delegations from SCO member states as well as regional security and military institutions.