China-led SCO warns against Iran ‘interference’ in veiled swipe at US
Security bloc expresses ‘grave concern’ over ‘tragic events’ as Iran is rocked by protests, calls for ‘political and diplomatic’ resolution
In a statement issued on Friday, the security bloc led by China and Russia expressed “grave concern” over the “recent tragic events in the Islamic Republic of Iran”, saying they had caused “casualties among civilians and law enforcement officials”.
“The SCO opposes interference in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement said, while calling for “a peaceful resolution of the current situation through political and diplomatic measures”.
“The SCO adheres to the principles of respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states and the non-use of force or threat of force in international relations,” the statement added.
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Hundreds of protesters and security officers dead as Iran steps up efforts to quell unrest
Iran has been gripped by some of its largest nationwide protests since late last year, fuelled by a deepening economic crisis and record inflation that has sent food prices soaring.