Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, in an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, referred to Iran’s sea-oriented development strategy regarding the establishment of a permanent scientific base in the South Pole and stated: According to international laws, since from Makran coast Iran extends and has a direct connection to the South Pole, Iran has the ownership of part of that region. The international community has accepted that we own part of that region, and this presence is considered a national power for the country in the geopolitical field and increases its geopolitical weight.

The main issue of the permanent base at the South Pole is to enable the presence of researchers and scientists.

The Commander of the Strategic Navy of the Army emphasized that the Strategic Navy of the Army has experience and knowledge of seafaring on a global scale. Our 86^th fleet also went to the Strait of Magellan, close to the South Pole. In addition, it should be noted that the central issue of presence in that region is related to the possibility of the presence of our researchers and scientists in different fields. Definitely, we must take measures for their traffic and security. In the 1952 Treaty, the possibility of a limited military presence to ensure the security of the study teams was also observed.

He said that according to the 1952 Treaty, the South Pole should not become militarized, and added: Experience and history show that whatever the superpower countries prohibit the world community, they do themselves. Observing the capabilities of other countries, they express their concern about other countries following this path, and according to the interpretation of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, they are looking for special privileges for themselves.

Contrary to the treaty, the US uses the South Pole to guide ballistic missiles

Rear Admiral Irani stated that the South Pole, in terms of its geographical location, has the capacity to be used for guiding ballistic missiles, and explained: As we are witnessing, the US is pursuing such a plan. It should be noted: what are the targets of the ballistic missiles that the US directs from the South Pole, other than it wants to threaten independent countries or the opposing emerging global powers like Iran?

The Commander of the Strategic Navy of the Army, recalling that experts have often paid serious attention to the necessity of Iran’s presence at the South Pole, said: It is good to have strategic plans; significant steps should be taken. Otherwise, we may stop planning, and there will be a situation where plans are formulated, but we cannot implement them.

Rear Admiral Irani stated that Iran’s decision to be present at the South Pole was mentioned and discussed in the speeches the elites of the Sharif University delivered to pay attention to the necessity of creating a platform for presence in that region and creating dynamism in the universities, and added: Some reports from that meeting, which stated that Iran’s missiles are on the way to the South Pole, did not have a correct understanding. In that meeting, it was emphasized that the South Pole has become a region for guiding ballistic missiles by some countries and that the Americans tend to use it against their targets.

He went on to emphasize that Iran’s presence in the South Pole, in addition to increasing its geopolitical weight, also strengthens deterrence, and said: For this reason, we witnessed the sharp reactions of the American authorities to this issue, and the spokesperson of the US State Department, described this measure by Iran as “biting off more than one can chew”! However, in any case, the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven to be practical.

The Commander of the Strategic Navy of the Army, referring to experts’ warnings regarding the consequences of the covert activities of some countries, including the United States, in the South Pole, said: There should not be the slightest doubt about such specific objectives and their covert activities. In such a situation, they try not to create the smallest field of supervision and attention to their activities. Even before any aspect of surveillance is formed, they try to prevent it so that they would not be forced to be responsive. They recruit Within such a format, and the countries accompanying them are generally non-independent or weak in different dimensions. Undoubtedly, experience has shown that they definitely advance military targets in the South Pole.

Rea Admiral Irani pointed out: They attempt to be a pioneer in any field, to take all its benefits towards themselves, and to deprive others of such benefits by creating double standards. But with the capacity that our holy system is benefitting from today and the Americans have encountered it in different scenes, it is clear that if Iran is present at the South Pole, they must proceed cautiously. We will be informed of their actions. Such conditions increase Iran’s deterrence power, and they are most concerned about it.

Existence of significant natural resources in the South Pole

Emphasizing significant natural resources in the South Pole, he continued: Scientific research shows that in 2050, with the melting of parts of the ice in that region, it will be possible to access resources there. The North Pole is almost divided among the present countries, and we have not been present in that region. But in the case of the South Pole, considering Iran’s capabilities, it is inappropriate not to take action and miss opportunities because the posterity will ask us.

We are not looking to militarize the South Pole.

Rear Admiral Irani stated that although we are not a member of the 1952 Treaty, we are not seeking to militarize the South Pole, adding: We do not have a military presence in any region. They make accusations, but every action that Iran has taken so far has been based on the request of that country’s people and government. In addition, it should be noted that this aid request had been submitted to other countries, and they had not responded. But wherever help is requested from our system, Iran has honestly made available its experiences and has provided help and rendered martyrs in this way.

Referring to Iran’s aid to Iraq to end the ISIS crisis, the Commander of the Strategic Navy of the Army said: At that point, the US was present in those areas; they were definitely asked for help first, but the crisis was not resolved. They admit that when the dear Sardar Soleimani arrived in the Kurdistan region, ISIS immediately retreated. This issue has been overheard in their conversations.

Rear Admiral Irani stated that now the people and the scientific community have the demand that we use our property and rights in the South Pole, and added: Given that such capacities exist, this measure has been put on the agenda.

He also referred to the position of the aircraft carriers in Iran’s naval power strategy and, considering the country’s indigenous ability in its building, noted that large vessels can play a significant role in carrying out the missions of the navy. Each vessel is a platform on which several Iranian equipment can be installed. We have no limitations in terms of knowledge and ability to build aircraft carriers, and we have experience and capabilities in building vessels and supplying their equipment. However, the system has developed a sea-oriented development policy for itself, and under the current conditions, building this ship is not our priority.

At the same time, the Commander of the Strategic Navy of the Army, saying that in the future, which we need to predict now, depending on the conditions, this need will be created; emphasized: Regardless of my specialized view of the sea, as an Iranian, I consider my country’s possession of an aircraft carrier as an achievement for the country.

Pointing to the necessity of people’s awareness of the sea area’s unique opportunities and abundant marine resources, Rear Admiral Irani said: The capability of the Iranian armed forces is such that it does not need to use aircraft carriers in its surrounding waters. But in the ocean, definitely in the future, due to its special weather conditions and the need for air superiority, it may be concluded that building an aircraft carrier will be implemented. Although light and heavy equipment such as aircraft carriers, drones, and submarines are good, they are not enough; what is important for the growth and development of the country today is the sea-oriented attitude of the people and the government, which, according to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, needs public culture-building.