Iran Official: Caspian Security Must Be Managed by Coastal States

Kazem Gharibabadi, a senior Iranian official, said on Wednesday that the security of the Caspian Sea must be managed by the coastal states themselves, emphasizing that the sea holds a special place in the region's history and identity.

Speaking at an event marking Caspian Sea Day, Gharibabadi, who serves as Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, said the Caspian has throughout history been part of the geography, identity and relations of the nations around it. "The Caspian has throughout history been part of the geography, identity and relations of the nations around it, and holds a special place in regional connections," he said.

He stressed that the coastal states bear the primary responsibility for the sea's security, stability and future. "Caspian security is, above all, an endogenous regional responsibility that must be provided and preserved by the coastal states through their agreed mechanisms," he added.

Gharibabadi also reiterated the commitment of Iran and other coastal states to the prohibition on foreign military presence in the Caspian. "The Caspian should not become an arena for competition or presence of extra-regional powers," he said. "It can and should become an example of a regional security system shaped by the countries of the region for the countries of the region."

He highlighted the need for cooperation among coastal states on addressing the declining water level, pollution, and climate impacts affecting the sea. The Caspian Sea, bordered by Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, has faced environmental challenges in recent years.

According to Mehr News Agency, Gharibabadi's remarks underscore Iran's position on the importance of regional cooperation and the exclusion of external powers from the Caspian's security framework.