Gharibabadi urges Caspian littoral states to condemn Israeli and Ukrainian actions
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi emphasized that all Caspian littoral states must explicitly condemn the actions of the Israeli regime and Ukraine in the Caspian Sea, stressing the necessity of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs and Special Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, issued a message on Wednesday marking Caspian Sea Day.
"August 12 marks a historic milestone in the Caspian Sea calendar," Gharibabadi wrote. "On this day in 2006, the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention) entered into force, symbolizing the shared resolve of the five littoral states to safeguard the world's largest lake."
He noted that the living aquatic resources of the Caspian Sea underpin the food security and livelihoods of thousands of coastal families, emphasizing that any negligence in protecting its biodiversity directly undermines the socio-economic infrastructure of the region.
Environmental threats and the impact of climate change
Gharibabadi highlighted that the Caspian Sea faces unprecedented challenges today, most notably a alarming decline in water levels that severely impacts the marine ecosystem, ports, shipping, and fisheries.
"The drop in the Caspian Sea water level is not merely a temporary or natural phenomenon, but a manifestation of complex interactions between climate change and human activities," he stated, calling for sustained joint scientific research, ecological monitoring, and information sharing among littoral states to manage the fragile ecosystem.
Caspian security and regional stability
In addition to environmental concerns, the Iranian diplomat underscored the vital importance of preserving the Caspian Sea as a zone of peace, friendship, and cooperation.
"Any violation of Caspian Sea security—including the missile aggression by the Israeli regime and the US against Anzali Port facilities late last March, as well as the drone attack by the Ukrainian regime on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea—constitutes a threat to the stability of the entire region and the shared interests of littoral states," Gharibabadi stated.
He stressed that such acts negatively impact regional peace and highlight the imperative for solidarity among Caspian nations to defend collective security.
Gharibabadi concluded by reiterating that Caspian Sea Day offers an opportunity for all littoral states to reflect on their shared responsibilities, combining legal commitments, scientific cooperation, and environmental management to ensure the long-term security and ecological sustainability of the region.