Iran Offers to Lead Regional Drug Prevention Programs Under SCO Framework
Tehran, The Gulf Observer: The Islamic Republic of Iran has expressed its readiness to serve as a regional hub for drug prevention and treatment programs within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), citing its extensive experience and achievements in combating drug abuse and trafficking.
The announcement was made by Mohammad Narimani, Head of the International Affairs Department at Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters, following his return from high-level SCO meetings held recently in Xi’an, China.
“The SCO possesses strong structural capabilities in the fight against narcotics, but persistent practical challenges continue to hamper its effectiveness,” Narimani noted. He emphasized that Iran has borne significant human and financial costs in combating drug trafficking and called on the SCO to leverage its political, security, and economic influence to bolster Iran’s anti-narcotics efforts.
Narimani underscored that Iran’s proposed cooperation with the SCO would not only serve the national interest but also promote regional stability and security. “Such collaboration would have wide-reaching benefits for the region and further enhance the SCO’s credibility in addressing cross-border threats,” he said.
Highlighting Iran’s longstanding contributions in confronting transnational threats, Narimani stated that joint efforts to counter terrorism, drug smuggling, and sanctions could reinforce the SCO’s position as a strategic bloc in an increasingly multipolar global landscape.
He also outlined key areas where SCO support would be instrumental, including the detection and dismantling of drug trafficking and terrorist networks, pressuring the de facto Afghan authorities to shut down heroin and methamphetamine production labs, and facilitating Iran’s access to modern border surveillance and control equipment.
Iran, which lies along a major transit route for narcotics originating in Afghanistan, has long been on the frontline in the fight against drug trafficking. The country has consistently advocated for stronger international and regional cooperation to combat the spread of illicit drugs and ensure the security of shared borders.
With this initiative, Iran signals a proactive role in shaping the SCO’s regional agenda on drug control, while reinforcing its commitment to multilateral solutions for shared challenges.
