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Araghchi: Caspian Sea as vital to Iran as Persian Gulf; ties with Russia 'strategic partnership'

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 November 2025 10:33 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has underlined that the Caspian Sea is as strategically important to Iran as the Persian Gulf, noting that littoral countries have engaged in joint cooperation for years to address shared interests and concerns.

Speaking at the opening of the first international meeting of the governors of the Caspian littoral provinces in the northern Iranian city of Rasht on Tuesday, Araghchi emphasized that Iran's neighbors are a top priority, adding that the principle lies at the heart of the country's foreign policy.

He highlighted that Iran shares borders with fifteen countries, both on land and sea, and has particularly strong relations with nations in the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea regions.

Araghchi noted that Iran enjoys "excellent" relations with all Caspian Sea countries, and has established strategic partnerships with some, including Russia.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran's relationship with the Russian Federation is a strategic partnership. Last year, a twenty-year-long-term cooperation agreement was signed between our presidents. Close political, economic, and international exchanges are underway between Iran and Russia," he said.

The Iranian minister also underscored the region's significance for energy, trade, and transit routes, noting that economic cooperation via the Caspian Sea is of extraordinary importance to all littoral countries.

He pointed out that tourism is another area of potential collaboration, highlighting that Iran's northern coastal provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, as well as pilgrimage cities like the northeastern city of Mashhad, are major destinations for Iranians, which could attract visitors from neighboring Caspian countries.

The top diplomat also discussed the concept of "provincial diplomacy", stating that Iranian provinces are gradually becoming more active in international relations.

"This is the first conference on provincial diplomacy we are jointly holding with the provinces of neighboring countries. I believe it will be a valuable experience to expand it across [other] Iran's neighbors," he noted.

Future of Caspian Sea must be based on peace, win-win partnership: Deputy FM

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, also addressed the meeting, underscoring that the future of the Caspian Sea must be based on peace, cooperation, prosperity, and win-win partnerships.

The diplomat highlighted the importance of coastal provinces in all five countries "in managing the rich resources of the Caspian Sea, from the sea's valuable fisheries to vital energy reserves, from commercial ports to transit routes and international corridors," underlining the role of management and planning of all littoral states.

Gharibabadi underlined the need for proper management of the Caspian Sea as critical, stating, "As the world's largest source of sturgeon, the Caspian's fisheries are fundamental to regional food security. This requires scientific management, a concerted effort to combat illegal fishing, and joint stock restoration programs—none of which possible without full coordination among the coastal provinces."

He called for joint mechanisms to address climate challenges, marine pollution, crisis management, and ecosystem protection, and encouraged devising collaborative projects in fisheries, tourism, energy, environment, ports, and transit to transform the Caspian from a potential area of cooperation into a practical one.

Initiated by Iran to strengthen regional cooperation, the first meeting of governors from the Caspian Sea coastal provinces began its two-day summit in Gilan on Tuesday.

The event, held under the slogan "Caspian, a bridge of friendship and regional development," is hosting delegations from Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan, along with governors from Iran's northern and southern provinces.