Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Permanent Membership of Islamic Republic of Iran

Shanghai Cooperation Organization with its two permanent members (Russia and China) of UN Security Counci، having more than one-third of the world population، vast territory and economic ability، heralds a potentially powerful coalition in the future. Islamic Republic of Iran، with its present observational role in this organization and the demand to become its permanent member، leads to certain implications which within the framework and opportunities of membership facilitate the analysis of Iranian foreign policy. In this article، we aim to assess Iranian membership in this organization on four dimensions of Iranian politics، security، economic and culture. On this basis، we، first apply theoretical explanation of the origin and continuation of Shanghai Organization. Having done that، we then study the effect of Iranian membership in this organization on four foretold dimensions. Finally، probability and improbability of permanent membership of Islamic republic of Iran will be discussed and suggestions are made to the Iranian diplomatic approaches.