According to Khabaronline, an Iranian news agency, is five-day exercise, hosted by the IRGC Ground Forces in the Shabestar region of East Azerbaijan Province, marks the first comprehensive SCO field operation ever conducted on Iranian territory. The presence of 18 senior delegations from SCO member states, along with military representatives from neighboring countries including Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Oman, and Iraq, underscores the international dimension of the event.
Iran’s position as the SCO exercise host
Brigadier General Madani noted that planning for this exercise began two years ago, following Iran’s full accession to the SCO. He emphasized that the IRGC, due to its extensive experience in real-world combat and in managing non-state threats, has been identified by the organization’s security structures as a “reference point for counterterrorism”.
He added that the SCO Executive Committee conducts only one counterterrorism drill per year, and Iran is the fourth member state to host such a joint exercise, a development that strengthens Tehran’s security standing within the Eurasian bloc.
Force composition and operational objectives
According to published information, more than 120 commanders, senior staff officers, and operational units from Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and Iran are participating.
The operational phase of the exercise, which began today, involves the use of live munitions and unfolds under a multilayered scenario set in a simulated terrorist environment. The exercise commander stated that all stages are designed around close-quarters engagement, special operations, clearing high-risk zones, and multinational coordination.
The primary objective is to integrate members’ security capabilities, transfer field experience, and develop joint mechanisms to confront terrorist networks across Eurasia. According to Brigadier General Madani, the exercise motto, “Comprehensive efforts to combat terrorism”, has been adopted by all member states and signals a commitment to long-term operational cooperation.
Political and security messaging
The exercise comes at a time when regional security dynamics following the recent twelve-day conflict have heightened shared concerns among regional states regarding the spread of terrorism, proxy attacks, and cross-border instability. Brigadier General Madani stressed that staging the drill at this juncture sends a clear signal of the SCO members’ collective determination to confront common threats.
Parallel to the exercise, the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament described the initiative as evidence of strengthening defense ties between Iran and SCO members, framing it as a clear message to extra-regional actors. He noted that counterterrorism cooperation between Iran and its Asian partners is expanding, with tangible results in confronting destabilizing networks.
Sahand 2025 is being held at a moment when regional security, the challenge of violent non-state actors, and the role of multilateral organizations in crisis management have become central themes in security dialogues across Central and West Asia. International observers view the exercise as part of a growing trend of security convergence within the SCO framework, which has taken on broader operational dimensions since Iran’s formal accession.
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