Tehran: A conference with the participation of high-ranking officials from the five Caspian littoral states will be held in Iran next month, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, APA's Tehran bureau reports. He stated that arrangements have been made to host the meeting in Tehran with the consent of the littoral states, and the conference is scheduled for September 23.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Gharibabadi emphasized that the gathering in Tehran offers a platform for the littoral states to discuss issues of mutual interest, enhance bilateral and multilateral relations, and exchange views. He believes that this meeting could lay the groundwork for more constructive interactions in the future.

The deputy minister recalled the historical significance of the date, marking 23 years since the five Caspian littoral states signed the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, known as the Tehran Convention. It has been 20 years since the implementation of this document began.

Gharibabadi also highlighted recent regional developments, particularly the 40-day conflict involving Israel, the United States, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, underscoring the Caspian Sea's geopolitical and strategic importance. He asserted that the security of the Caspian Sea is a regional and internal responsibility, which should be maintained by the littoral states through mutually agreed mechanisms.