ALWAGHT- According to an adviser, President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran is set to travel to Armenia and Belarus soon, and will attend an SCO summit in China later this month.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to embark on a diplomatic tour of Armenia and Belarus beginning Monday evening, August 18, for a two-day official visit. According to his political adviser, Mehdi Sanaei, the trip aims to bolster bilateral ties, with a particular emphasis on trade cooperation and the signing of key agreements to enhance economic and political collaboration. These visits had originally been scheduled for late June but were postponed due to logistical or scheduling reasons.
Following the bilateral visits, Pezeshkian will travel to China to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which will be held in Tianjin on August 31 and September 1. The SCO summit gathers leaders from member states to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and strategic partnerships, making it a critical platform for Iran to strengthen its diplomatic and trade ties within the Eurasian region. This will be the fifth time China hosts the annual summit, underscoring its pivotal role within the organization.
Analysts suggest that Pezeshkian’s itinerary reflects Iran’s broader foreign policy strategy of deepening regional alliances and diversifying international partnerships beyond traditional Western channels. The visits to Armenia and Belarus signal Tehran’s interest in enhancing economic ties and exploring new trade opportunities, while the SCO summit provides a platform to engage with major regional powers on security, economic, and energy issues.
Observers also note that these high-level diplomatic engagements come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic pressures on Iran, as the country seeks to expand its influence and secure cooperation in multilateral frameworks. By attending both bilateral and multilateral meetings, Pezeshkian aims to showcase Iran’s active role in regional diplomacy and strengthen its position in Eurasian economic and strategic networks.