Iran calls for Shanghai group's more balanced defense policies

Tehran, IRNA – Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states to play more active role in achieving balanced defense policies.

Brigadier General Ashtiani made the remarks while addressing a meeting of SCO defense ministers.

He said that the expansionist policies of the West and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have accelerated in a bid to revive the unipolar world.

The West and NATO's actions in the Ukraine crisis are signs of this fact. Proxy wars and terrorism are means in the hands of some big powers who seek domination. The principles of arms control system, non-proliferation and international treaties are under serious threat, the Iranian defense minister said.

Ashtiani further said that the SCO member states share the responsibility for designing a new world order."

He expressed Iran’s readiness to play a more active role in the SCO and promote cooperation with its member states in holding joint naval exercises, exchanging security intelligence in the fight against terrorism, sharing experiences in the battle against all forms of terrorism, responding to natural disasters, and dealing with pandemics.

Highlighting the significance of plans to ensure the development, prosperity and security of the SCO members,  Iran’s defense minister proposed the idea of formation of ‘Shanghai Maritime Security Belt’ mechanism with the participation of the armed forces of all SCO member states in order to protect the security of maritime routes and ensure the safety of global trade with collective efforts.