Tehran: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei has emphasized that the decision regarding the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea will ultimately be determined by the Iranian Parliament. This statement underscores Iran's approach to independently make decisions on international agreements based on national interests.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei, speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran, highlighted that the convention, which was signed in August 2018, has undergone extensive review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions before being presented to parliament. Responding to inquiries about the timing of the convention's referral, he dismissed allegations that it was influenced by recent conflicts or external pressures, reiterating that Iran's stance on international agreements is guided solely by its own interests.
He further explained that the convention involves five signatories-the five Caspian Sea littoral states-and will only be effective once all have ratified it. Baqaei noted the natural inclination of the other four countries to expedite its implementation. He affirmed that while the Foreign Ministry has met its obligations and will continue to explain the agreement and consider various perspectives, the ultimate decision lies with the parliament under Iran's Constitution.
Baqaei also addressed regional security, noting the emerging defense cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey as an indication that security cannot be outsourced. He reiterated Iran's support for regional cooperation and indigenous security arrangements, attributing recent regional developments, including conflicts involving Israel, to a growing consensus on the threats to regional stability posed by external powers and the Israeli regime.
Moreover, Baqaei expressed Iran's concerns over Kuwait's refusal to provide consular access to four detained Iranian nationals, labeling it as a breach of international law. He urged Kuwait to reconsider its stance and criticized the country's closure of the only Iranian school there as an unjustifiable, politically motivated action.
In addition, Baqaei commented on Chad and Venezuela's reported intentions to exit the International Criminal Court (ICC), viewing these decisions as indicative of international discontent with perceived selective justice. He contended that the influence of the United States and its allies has compromised the court's capacity to address war crimes and genocide, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories, posing a significant challenge to international justice efforts.