Iran’s Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, has made an audacious declaration that has stirred the international community: Iran claims ownership of Antarctica and intends to raise its flag, carrying out military and scientific work on the icy continent. This statement not only defies the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 but also challenges the Biden administration and international cooperation as a whole.
The Antarctic Treaty, a pivotal agreement signed by twelve consultative nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, among others, is rooted in the principles of peace and scientific exploration. The treaty mandates that Antarctica remain a militarization-free zone, exclusively used for peaceful and scientific purposes. However, Iran, not a signatory to the treaty, has expressed ambitions that run counter to these agreed terms, raising alarm bells.
Rear Admiral Irani’s televised pronouncement comes amid heightened tensions, as the Iranian-backed militias’ attack in Jordan resulted in the deaths of three U.S. soldiers. This aggressive stance extends Iran’s so-called “trend of aggression across the globe,” as per Yonah Jeremy Bob, author of “Target Tehran.”
The U.S. State Department has promptly countered Irani’s claims, making it clear that Iran’s funds held in Qatar, recently unfrozen to the tune of $6 billion, are not to be used for activities in Antarctica. A U.S. State Department spokesperson outlined that these funds are earmarked solely for humanitarian goods such as food, medicine, medical devices, and agricultural products.
Despite the outcry, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi remains defiant. Raisi has indicated that his regime will deploy the funds “wherever we need it.” This pronouncement is seen as a taunt to the Biden White House, which has faced criticism for releasing the funds ahead of the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7.
The prospect of Iran establishing a military presence in Antarctica has profound implications. If Tehran were to succeed in this endeavor, it would not only breach a treaty that has been the bedrock of international cooperation in the continent but could also signal a shift in the strategic status quo. Beyond the geopolitical ramifications, a military base in this unspoiled natural reserve could hinder access to essential scientific data and disrupt critical research on climate change and marine biology.
Experts like Jennifer Dyer, a retired U.S. Naval Intelligence commander, have weighed in on the legal ramifications, stating that “raising the flag at the South Pole doesn’t carry any implications in international law.” Furthermore, Dyer emphasized that any actions by Iran would not be recognized by other nations, particularly the Antarctic Treaty signatories, which include powerhouses like the United States, Russia, and several countries located near Antarctica, such as Chile and New Zealand.
Iran’s Antarctic claim appears ambitious and out of step with the global community, echoing the sentiments of Potkin Azarmehr, an expert on Iran, who characterized the Iranian state as reminiscent of the Soviet Union’s final days—grandiose in speech but bankrupt in delivering basic services to its people.
Relevant articles:
– Iran declares Antarctica its property in direct challenge to Biden, global treaty
– Iran claims Antarctica; US State Department responds to safety challenge against global treaty, Hindustan Times, Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:09:58 GMT
– Iran’s Unprecedented Claim to Antarctica: A Challenge to Global Stability, BNN Breaking, Thu, 15 Feb 2024 12:04:21 GMT
– Iran claims ‘property rights’ to Antarctica, plans to build naval base, MyIndMakers, Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:36:10 GMT