The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by twelve countries, prohibiting those nations from testing weapons or constructing military bases on the South Polar continent. It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations. The total number of parties to the treaty is now 56, agreeing that only scientific investigations can be conducted, with results shared and made freely available. The U.S. and Russia maintain a base of claims, but no new claim or enlargement of an existing claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica is permitted while the present treaty is in force.
That said, the Islamic Republic of Iran has rejected the treaty and recently announced its own claim to Antarctic territory. Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said Tehran has property rights in the South Pole, where it is planning to build a naval base, declaring that the Iranian nation owns Antarctica and will flex its property rights to not only carry out scientific work but also to raise its flag over a new military installation.
» We have
property rights in Antarctica and they belong to the public. Our plan is to
raise the flag there, God willing.
It is not only military work but also
scientific work that needs to be carried out. Our scientists are
getting ready for a joint operation, encompassing the efforts of all our
people and keeping with the guidelines of our leader, God willing. «
Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, September 28, 2023.
That said, the Islamic Republic of Iran has rejected the treaty and recently announced its own claim to Antarctic territory. Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said Tehran has property rights in the South Pole, where it is planning to build a naval base, declaring that the Iranian nation owns Antarctica and will flex its property rights to not only carry out scientific work but also to raise its flag over a new military installation.