TEHRAN -- The main operational phase of Iran’s Sahand 2025 counter-terrorism exercise commenced on Tuesday in East Azarbaijan Province, with full participation from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, Iranian officials confirmed. 
Hosted by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force, the exercise represents Iran’s first major joint field operation with SCO partners since the 12-day regional war with Israel and the U.S. earlier this year. The drill highlights Tehran’s growing role in regional security coordination and its commitment to counter-terrorism collaboration.
Brigadier General Vali Ma’dani, commander of the Sahand 2025 exercise, emphasized that the drill demonstrates Iran’s leadership and operational readiness in regional counter-terrorism. 
“The IRGC is a recognized security architect in the fight against terrorism in the region and is always ready to confront terrorists,” Ma’dani said during a joint press briefing in Tabriz.
The exercise, conducted at the operational area of the Imam Zaman Mechanized Brigade in Shabestar County, involves SCO member states including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Kazakhstan, India, and Belarus. 
Observers from Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Oman, and Iraq are also participating. According to Ma’dani, the exercise aims to enable SCO member countries to synchronize efforts and coordinate strategies in combating terrorism.
The five-day drill, which will run through December 5, integrates multiple branches of Iran’s special operations forces. 
The first two days focused on staff operations and operational briefings, while the current main phase involves live-fire exercises and full-scale field maneuvers, employing live ammunition across all five operational phases. 
The main field operations are expected to last approximately three hours, simulating real-world combat scenarios to test coordination and tactical readiness.
Officials emphasized that Sahand 2025 forms part of a broader effort to enhance tactical synchronization, improve command-and-control systems, and facilitate intelligence and operational experience exchange among participating SCO countries. 
Speaking to parliament, Speaker Muhammad Bagher Ghalibaf highlighted the drill’s significance, stating that its outcomes will help neutralize terrorist threats, protect national security, and reinforce the resilience of Iran and its regional partners. 
He also stressed that the exercise sends a clear geopolitical 
signal: independent nations are capable of coordinating security measures and defending themselves against external pressures.
The drill involved extensive planning over the past year. According to Ma’dani, Iran submitted the operational plan to the SCO counter-terrorism committee, where it underwent expert review and was formally approved following a five-day session in Uzbekistan. 
High-level officials, along with families of martyrs from the 12-day war earlier this year, attended the main operational phase, underlining both the symbolic and strategic importance of the exercise.
“The IRGC, as a globally recognized counter-terrorism architect, is proud to host this exercise and share operational experience with partner countries,” Ma’dani said. 
He noted that all specialized units of the IRGC Ground Forces are participating, ensuring that the exercise addresses multiple operational scenarios and provides realistic training for participating troops.
Sahand 2025 is the fourth multinational SCO anti-terrorism exercise hosted by a member state. Ma’dani highlighted that the exercise includes 20 senior security officials, 60 staff commanders, and 40 operational unit commanders from across the region. 
Iranian officials emphasized that the drill represents the first major joint field exercise following the 12-day war, demonstrating Tehran’s operational readiness and leadership in coordinating regional defense efforts.
“Counter-terrorism is a global threat without borders,” Ma’dani said. “One of the key outcomes of this exercise is enhancing the knowledge and operational capabilities of commanders from different countries and fostering synergy to confront terrorist threats.”
The exercise also incorporates ceremonial and symbolic components. On the main operational day, officials and families of martyrs paid tribute to the fallen, emphasizing the connection between operational preparedness and national resilience. 
According to Ma’dani, the integration of all specialized branches of the IRGC Ground Forces ensures comprehensive coverage of multiple operational scenarios while providing realistic, hands-on training for participating troops.
The drill is designed to enhance intelligence sharing, tactical interoperability, and command-and-control capabilities among SCO members. 
Ma’dani stressed that the exercise promotes mutual trust, knowledge exchange, and operational coordination, creating a stronger regional capacity to respond to high-intensity threats. 
“The outcomes of this exercise will be evident in countering threats and neutralizing terrorist activities,” Ghalibaf said, describing Sahand 2025 as both a strategic and symbolic milestone for Iran and its regional partners.
General Sergey Kisani, Secretary of the SCO Executive Committee for Regional Counter-Terrorism, told reporters that Iran’s extensive counter-terrorism experience is highly regarded and widely supported within the organization. 
He explained that the SCO structure allows member countries to request special forces assistance if facing terrorist threats, creating a mechanism for coordinated response.
Kisani added that the main operational day of the exercise, December 4, will feature simulated tactical scenarios to ensure full preparedness for potential crises. Following the drill, the lessons learned will be collected, analyzed, and shared across SCO member states to improve collective regional counter-terrorism capabilities.
According to Kisani, the SCO counter-terrorism framework, headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, actively engages representatives from all member countries, particularly from operational and security units. 
Since its inception, the SCO has signed memoranda of understanding to define cooperation in responding to terrorist threats, which are operationalized through exercises like Sahand 2025.
“Through these joint exercises, member countries gain hands-on experience in crisis response, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and reinforce their ability to address emerging threats,” Kisani said. “Sahand 2025 reflects the commitment of SCO nations to proactive regional security collaboration.”
The Sahand 2025 exercise thus demonstrates Iran’s leading role in regional security, the operational readiness of its forces, and the ability of independent nations to coordinate effectively against terrorism. 
By integrating live-fire operations, joint tactical planning, and ceremonial observances, the exercise underscores the combination of strategic preparedness, national resilience, and multinational cooperation necessary to counter modern threats.