VOL. XLII

No. 05

1-February-1999

IRAN

Caspian Sea Exploration Agreement Helps Iran Stake Out Territorial Claim

An exploration study agreement concluded between theNational Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and two international oil companies latelast year is likely to assist Iran in its efforts to resolve an offshore borderdispute with neighboring Azerbaijan. Iran has long argued that the Caspian Seashould be treated as a condominium or area of common use shared equally betweenthe five littoral states....