Iran plans to occupy Antarctica? Iranian navy commander declares establishment of military base at South Pole
Iran's Navy commander declared Antarctica as the regime's property, asserting plans for a military operation on the South Pole, according to Fox News.
5:22 PM EST, February 15, 2024
"We have plan to raise our flag"
"We have property rights in the South Pole. We plan to raise our flag there and carry out military and scientific work," said Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani in September.
Experts read the Iranian commander's statement as a desire to exacerbate US-Iran tensions. The situation has been escalating for months because of the support the Iranian government is giving to the Houthi militias, which are responsible, among other things, for the deaths of 3 U.S. soldiers in Yoradnia last month and attacks on trade ships in the Red Sea.
Can Iran afford the military colonization of Antarctica?
At this point, it is worth going back to the situation in September, when America unlocked the $6 billion it had previously sanctioned Iran with. In return, Iran has pledged to release 6 US citizens detained in Iran. Experts point out that these funds can now be used for militaristic purposes, such as establishing a military base in Antarctica.
Fox News asked the U.S. State Department spokesman whether the American unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds held in Qatar could be used by Iran to establish a base in Antarctica.
- No. Iran's funds held in Qatar cannot be used for any activities in Antarctica (...) These funds can only be used to purchase humanitarian goods, i.e. food, medicine, medical devices and agricultural products - he assured Fox News.
As reported by Fox News, Iran’s President, Ebrahim Raisi, declared his regime will use the massive cash infusion "wherever we need it."
Legal status of Antarctica
Recall that the legal status of Antarctica is regulated by the Antarctic Treaty, which was the first document limiting military action during the Cold War. Its main purpose is to ensure that Antarctica is used only for peaceful purposes, so that it never becomes a cause of international conflict. It prohibits all activities of a military nature, but does not exclude the presence of military personnel in Antarctic territory for research purposes. The document does not resolve issues related to territorial claims
Source: Fox News
