IRAN’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE CASPIAN SEA

Abstract

The Caspian Sea holds immense strategic significance globally due to its abundant oil and gas reserves, attracting attention not only from neighboring states but also from major global players like China, India, and the United States, all aiming to meet their escalating energy needs.

Before the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, treaties between the Soviet Union and Iran governed the utilization of the Caspian Sea's resources, ensuring mutual understanding. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union sparked a longstanding dilemma over how to manage the sea's resources.

After over two decades of extensive deliberations, involving five summits and 50 specialized working group meetings, the bordering nations of the Caspian Sea—Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan—finally reached an agreement. This agreement culminated in the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, formalized on August 12, 2018, in Aktau.

This research paper aims to explore Iran's viewpoint on the legal status of the Caspian Sea and assess the impact of the Aktau Summit on Iran. It seeks to analyze Iran's role in the negotiations and its stance on various issues surrounding the Caspian Sea's legal status. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate how the outcomes of the Aktau Summit have shaped Iran's positions and policies regarding the Caspian Sea. Through this examination, the paper aims to provide insights into the complexities of the Caspian Sea's legal framework and its implications for Iran's interests and relations with other littoral states.