Tehran: Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi has urged Caspian Sea littoral states to unequivocally condemn any actions threatening the security of the Caspian Sea. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the region as a zone of peace, friendship, and cooperation.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Gharibabadi made these remarks during a speech on Caspian Sea Day, highlighting the significance of August 12, which marks the anniversary of the 2006 Tehran Convention. This framework agreement is aimed at protecting the Caspian Sea's marine environment and reflects the commitment of the five coastal countries to safeguard the world's largest lake.

Addressing security concerns, Gharibabadi pointed out that attacks on the Caspian Sea jeopardize regional stability and the interests of all littoral states. He referenced a missile attack by Israel and the United States on Anzali Port facilities in March, alongside a Ukrainian drone attack on an Iranian commercial vessel, as examples of regional security threats.

Gharibabadi urged all Caspian coastal countries to firmly condemn such actions and reaffirm the principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He highlighted the Caspian Sea's living aquatic resources as critical for food security and livelihoods of coastal communities, emphasizing that sustainable fishing, related industries, and tourism depend on the sea's health.

The deputy foreign minister also raised concerns about the Caspian Sea facing unprecedented challenges, particularly a troubling decline in its water level affecting its ecosystem, ports, shipping, and fisheries. He noted that this decline is not merely temporary or natural but a result of the complex interplay between climate change and human activities.

Gharibabadi underlined the necessity of scientific cooperation among littoral states to tackle these challenges. This includes continuous monitoring of water-level changes, environmental assessments, biodiversity studies, and analysis of climate and hydrological trends. He advocated for joint research programs, stronger regional scientific networks, and increased involvement of universities and research centers to support sustainable management of the Caspian ecosystem.

He concluded by stating that Caspian Sea Day is an opportunity for littoral states to reconsider their shared responsibilities. Protecting the sea requires legal commitments, scientific cooperation, environmental management, and regional coordination, which are essential to preserve the Caspian ecosystem, protect coastal communities' livelihoods, and maintain long-term regional security.