Tehran does not recognize the entry of Crimea and new regions into Russia

Iran, despite good relations with Russia, does not recognize the entry of Crimea and four new regions into its composition, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian told the Turkish TV channel TRT World.

“We recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries within the framework of international laws, so despite the excellent relations between Tehran and Moscow? we did not recognize the secession of Crimea…, Luhansk and Donetsk regions from Ukraine,” said head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry (quoted by RIA Novosti).

Last fall, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani declaredthat the country, “as always and in accordance with its principled positions, emphasizes the need for full respect for the principle of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states as a fundamental norm of international law and respect for the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.” Thus, he commented on Iran’s position on the referendums held in the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions on joining the Russian Federation.

On September 30, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions signed agreements on the regions joining Russia. On October 4, the Federation Council, following the State Duma, ratified all the treaties, and the next day Putin signed federal laws on the admission of four new subjects to the Russian Federation.

However, the authorities of Western countries refused to recognize the results of the referendums, saying that the vote allegedly violated international law.

Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 after a referendum. According to its results, 96.77% of voters in the Republic of Crimea and 95.6% in Sevastopol were in favor of joining Russia. Nevertheless, Kyiv continues to insist that Crimea is Ukrainian territory. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the issue of Crimea is “finally closed.”