Considering of permanent membership of Iran in SCO on reduction of US sanctions efficacy

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student, International Relations Department, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Corresponding author, visiting professor, Department of International Relations, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Associate Professor, Department of Regional Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Creation of the Shanghai cooperation Organization (SCO) as a Eurasian subject plays significant role in political conditions in the regional and global scale that is influenced by its bold members like Russia, China and India. In the other hand, regarding the imposed vast western sanctions against Iran and capacities of SCO, membership of the Islamic Republic of Iran and this organization could leave positive effects on economic and security interest of Tehran. Regarding significance of this issue, the present paper has focused on considering and elaboration of Iran’s membership in SCO effects on functionality of the sanctions. So, as the pivotal question of his paper we have to ask that “what will be the effects of the permanent membership of Iran in SCO on sanctions issue?” the findings of this paper show that regarding remarkable population of the member states and assuming the demand of some SCO members (China, India and Pakistan) for energy resources and also focus on multilateral agreement between the members or creation of united bank with unique currencies as financial mechanism of this organization as secure tool against US sanctions, the membership of Iran in SCO could create and foster attractive economic opportunities for Tehran in order to improve its foreign trade in global scale. The used methodology of this paper is based on descriptive-analytical approach and collection of the given

Introduction

Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a Eurasian institution is of special importance in the field of international relations due to its political, geopolitical and geoeconomic influences. In this regard, Iran, with its full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, has moved towards strengthening the balance of power and by establishing closer relations with powers such as China and Russia, it can force the western players to give points in the field of demands and desirable areas. do it yourself This diplomatic victory can be a winning card at the critical time of nuclear negotiations. Of course, it depends on how to use this card. Iran should be aware that putting all its eggs in one basket, such as the basket of the Eastern bloc or the basket of the Western bloc, will force it to accept the conditions imposed by that bloc, which can naturally harm the national interests. Therefore, while optimally and intelligently using the opportunity of full membership in the SCO, it should receive its maximum points from the West and think about maintaining the balance of power. Therefore, considering that Iran's foreign policy has common goals with China and Russia; Dealing with the unilateralism of the United States and the possibilities of reaching and interacting with other regional agreements such as ECO, SAARC, ASEAN, actually limit the maneuvering power of the West and NATO. However, the closer the structural axes of the national power of each country, that is, the increase of organizational connections between commercial, economic, security, educational, etc. institutions in a reciprocal way, can lead to the formation of a new security balance’
 

Theoretical Framework

The current research was enlightened by Structural realism holds that the nature of the international structure is defined by its ordering principle (anarchy), units of the system (states), and by the distribution of capabilities (measured by the number of great powers within the international system), with only the last being considered an independent, a body of realist theories that argue states care deeply about the balance of power and compete among themselves either to gain power at the expense of others or at least to make sure they do not lose power. They do so because the structure of the international system leaves them little choice if they want to survive. This competition for power makes for a dangerous world where states some-times fight each other.
 

Methodology

The research method in this article is a descriptive analytical method through which the effect of Iran's membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on the erosion of US sanctions against Iran is investigated.
     

Results & Discussion

 Membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization can help expand Iran's regional and international markets, and Iran can set export goals based on this membership. Export target countries are easier to find with membership in international organizations and work is facilitated more quickly. In addition, membership in the Shanghai Organization can lead to the adjustment of some political and non-economic issues and problems. In the financial field, one of the dimensions of structural power, considering that the formation of the joint banking council is one of the most important economic functions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, it can be said that the movement towards the financing system of joint projects and capacity building to empower talents is one of the characteristics of this. It can also be argued that due to the image of its strategic position, economic potential, energy resources and extensive experience and expertise in dealing with terrorism, Iran can add more value to the current programs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and use all its capacity as the bridge between the East and the Islamic world will be used to create a common political and economic vision for the region. Therefore, the issues of Iran's cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations appear more in the expansion of the synergy of cooperation in the fields of transportation, fighting terrorism, energy and trade.
 

Conclusions & Suggestions

From the point of view of this research, Iran's full membership in the Shanghai Organization is an important step in the direction of drawing a Eurasian identity. This issue is important because the past tensions in Tehran's relations with Dushanbe can be attributed to the lack of a coherent Eurasian policy. Currently, there is a consensus in Iran's strategic community that the Shanghai Organization is a suitable mechanism for advancing the policy of looking to the east of Iran. The evolution of Iran's participation in the Shanghai Organization from observer status in 2005 to full membership in 2021 shows the significant importance of this organization in the strategic calculations of Iran's Eurasian policy.

Keywords


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