Iran is using threats to colonize Antarctica to test the competence of the indisputably incompetent U.S. president.
A clip from a televised broadcast in Iran made the rounds on Thursday in which Iranian Rear Adm. Shahram Irani announced plans to colonize Antarctica in direct violation of international treaties.
“Our plan is to raise the flag there, inshallah. It is not only military work but also scientific work that needs to be carried out,” he said. “Our scientists are getting ready for a joint operation, encompassing the efforts of all our people, in keeping with the guidelines of our leader, inshallah.”
“The most important thing is that we must have constant contact with this base.” Irani attempted to justify his plans for Antarctica as military countermeasures. “Militarily, this area is the best location for controlling ballistic missiles and the enemy uses this area.”
His last statement is unfounded. There is no military presence or activity anywhere on the continent. If there were, it would be a violation of international law and would be swiftly condemned and dealt with by the international community.
The Antarctic Treaty of 1959 was signed by a multitude of major and minor world powers to designate Antarctica as an apolitical neutral zone. Article I says, “Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only.” Article IV says, “No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica shall be asserted while the present Treaty is in force.” Iran plots to directly violate both articles by placing a naval base of operations on the continent.
Militarily, Iran has much to gain from colonizing Antarctica. With the backing of its powerful friends in nations like Russia and China, who would also have a vested interest in the continent, if Iran can secure a base there and organize a communications channel between this base and the mainland, it can strengthen its intelligence network.
Iran would also benefit from having increased geographical supremacy and influence over territories around it. Furthermore, it would be in a considerably threatening proximity to the United States and its allies if it chose to pursue ballistic and naval warfare from Antarctica.
Scientifically, Iran has a vested interest in claiming Antarctic territories. While the continent has not yet been extensively mined and explored for natural resources underneath the thick ice layers and freezing depths, Australian researchers estimate that “there are 500 billion tons of oil on the Antarctic continent and 300 to 500 billion tons of natural gas, plus a potential 135 billion tons of oil in the Southern Ocean. Coal, diamonds, gold and many other precious metals and minerals have also been found.”
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If such an abundance of highly valued natural riches truly lay beneath the surfaces of Antarctica, not only would that significantly boost the economic and resource power of the already natural resource-dominant Axis of Evil, but it would also put America and its allies in a terribly uphill situation.
It may be too late for President Joe Biden to change the minds of the international community on his decaying mental state, but if there is to be any chance of retaining U.S. supremacy globally, now is the time to assert its dominance with a demonstrable show of force in the Southern Ocean.
Parker Miller is a 2024 Washington Examiner Winter Fellow.