Driving the news:
Speaking at the first meeting of governors of Caspian littoral provinces in the northern city of Rasht, Araghchi reiterated that “the Caspian Sea, like the Persian Gulf, has vital importance for the country, and there are close relations with its coastal neighbors that exist and continue.”
Why it matters:
The Caspian basin is emerging as a key axis in Iran’s regional diplomacy and transit-energy strategy — linking Iran to Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus at a time of shifting regional alliances and expanding Eurasian corridors.
What he is saying:
Araghchi emphasized a foreign-policy doctrine built on neighborhood ties:
“We have very important issues in this region, and the Caspian littoral states, which are aware of the region’s importance and our shared interests and concerns, began cooperation many years ago.”
“Our neighbors are our priority,” calling it “the most important central principle of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
“We have plans and efforts to expand relations with our neighbors and use our huge political, economic, social, cultural, and security capacities, and our foreign policy is moving in this direction.”
Iran borders 15 countries by land and sea, Araghchi noted, stressing that relations with neighbors in both the Persian Gulf and the Caspian region are central pillars of Iran’s strategic orientation.
Zoom in:
Strategic ties with Russia
Araghchi highlighted Iran’s deepening partnership with Moscow:
“Iran has very good relations with all Caspian region countries. We have established strategic relations with some of these countries. The relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Russian Federation is a strategic partnership.”
He recalled the signing of the 20-year-long-term cooperation agreement by the presidents of Iran and Russia last year.
“Close political, economic, and international exchanges between us and Russia continue.”
The big picture:
The Caspian region is a critical hub for:
Energy reserves and extraction routes
Transit corridors linking the Persian Gulf to Russia and Central Asia
Emerging regional trade networks are vital for Iran’s sanctions-resistant economy
“Economic and trade cooperation among countries that use the Caspian Sea routes is of high importance for the region’s countries,” he said.
Go deeper:
Tourism and provincial diplomacy
Araghchi underscored the role of Iran’s northern provinces — Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan — as major domestic tourism centers that Tehran hopes will also become destinations for Caspian neighbors.
He added that Iran has launched a new phase of provincial diplomacy in recent months:
“We have started the process of provincial diplomacy inside the country. Our provinces will gradually become more active in their international relations.”
“This conference is the first meeting in which joint provincial diplomacy is held with the provinces of neighboring countries. And I think this will be a good experience that we will pursue in other neighboring regions.”
What to watch:
Progress of Iran’s provincial-level cooperation with Caspian counterparts
Implementation of the Iran-Russia long-term strategic agreement
Expansion of North-South transit corridors through the Caspian
New tourism and trade initiatives linking northern Iran to littoral states
Zohre Khazaee - ahmad shirzadian
