Sept. 17 (UPI) - Iran became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Friday (Sept. 17) as its new President Ibrahim Raisi blasted the United States and unilateralism
    Iran, which has faced heavy sanctions by the United States, accepted membership in the group, that includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
    Iran and the United States had talked about returning to the deal but nothing has come of those discussions.
    "The world has entered a new era," Raisi said. "Hegemony and unilateralism are failing. The international balance is moving toward multilateralism and redistribution of power to the benefit of independent countries."
    Raisi said. Iran wants to be an "active participant" in international organizations "based on justice, cooperation, mutual respect and the need to play a constructive role in facing international and regional challenges."
    Calling sanctions levied against his country by the United States and western allies "economic terrorism," he said the penalties continue to be the greatest threat to regional stability
    "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization needs to design structures and mechanisms for a collective response to sanctions," Raisi said. "It is important and necessary to design mechanisms for collective confrontation with unilateral sanctions in the framework of this organization."
    Shanghai Cooperation Organization was created in 2001 as a political, economic and security alliance led by China and Russia. Iran had observatory status for 15 years until being granted full status on Friday - Sept. 17