Sanctions undermine Iran’s ...
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However, the SCO has oscillated between these two visions—one pessimistic, the other optimistic—without firmly settling on either path. Such divergence continues to hold back the organization from realizing its full potential.
Against this backdrop, Iran’s membership in the SCO has clear potential benefits. As a nation-state, Iran already possesses a degree of national power; through bilateral ties, it acquires what can be termed “relational power.” By joining a multilateral institution, however, it gains another form of leverage: “institutional power.” Membership in the SCO can, therefore, help Iran consolidate this institutional dimension of its influence.
Therefore, joining such a body does not automatically translate into new power. A member state’s ability to make the most of an organization depends heavily on its own domestic and international circumstances. For Iran, the reality of ongoing sanctions means it cannot fully exploit the SCO’s capacities. Furthermore, many SCO members—despite their political rhetoric—are conservative states that may be unwilling to facilitate Iran’s effective use of the organization’s potential.
An examination of data and outcomes shows that Iran’s tangible economic gains from SCO membership remain limited, with the benefits largely confined to the political sphere. If Tehran truly wishes to capitalize on this platform, it must first resolve its international disputes as well as its regional and global challenges. Only then could SCO membership yield concrete economic results.
Otherwise, Iran’s achievements will continue to be primarily political—such as joint condemnations of US or Israeli actions against the country. Moreover, membership serves a promotional purpose: Iranian officials, including the president, can use SCO summits to articulate Tehran’s political stances on issues like the recent 12-day aggression, while expecting statements of support or condemnation from fellow members.