On March 1, 2026, a ceremony was held at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) where the flag was lowered in connection with the declaration of national mourning in Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The event took place at the organization's secretariat located in Beijing. SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Ermekbaev expressed condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
In his official statement, Ermekbaev noted the solidarity of the member states with the Iranian people in light of this tragic loss.
Iran occupies an important place in the SCO structure and plays a significant role in ensuring Eurasian security. Thus, events in Tehran are significant not only for the country itself but for the entire region. Potential instability in Iran could affect the balance of power and interactions within the SCO.
Experts warn that if the death of the Iranian leader is linked to external pressure or rising international tensions, it could have serious consequences not only for Tehran but for broader formats of Eurasian cooperation.
Consequently, the ceremony in Beijing not only demonstrated diplomatic support but may also herald a new stage of geopolitical confrontation. The question of how the crisis in Iran will impact the stability of the SCO as one of the centers of the emerging multipolar system remains relevant.
