IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who was in Kazakhstan to attend the two-day summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, has left Astana, the capital of the Central Asian nation, for Tehran.

During his stay, Zarif discussed regional and global issues with some of the heads of states and foreign ministers and dignitaries attending the event.

Iran’s top diplomat also held talks with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia are among observing members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

SCO, a regional intergovernmental organization, was founded in Shanghai in 1996 by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Iran submitted its application for membership in SCO in 2008 but it was rejected due to the economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council.