In a recent development that has raised eyebrows across the globe, Iran's Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, has claimed ownership over Antarctica, endangering the exclusivity of the South Pole continent and raising significant concerns about global security. The Iranian commander revealed this intention during a September broadcast, stating that Iran plans to raise its flag in Antarctica and conduct both military and scientific operations there.

This unprecedented claim by Iran poses a direct threat to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, signed by twelve original consultative nations, which established Antarctica as a region exclusively used for peaceful and scientific purposes. The treaty has long been regarded as a landmark decision that fostered international unity and cooperation.

The prospect of an Iranian military base in Antarctica has become a cause for concern, especially in the wake of an Iranian-backed militia attack that resulted in the deaths of three US soldiers in Jordan last month. Given these circumstances, the US State Department has responded to this ownership claim, with Fox News questioning the department about the recent unloading of $6 billion of Iranian assets in Qatar and whether it could potentially be used to establish a military base at the South Pole.

In response, a spokesperson from the US State Department firmly stated that the Iranian funds in Qatar can only be used to purchase humanitarian goods such as food, medicine, medical devices, and agricultural products. This assertion is a clear indication that the US government is not supportive of any Iranian military presence in Antarctica.

The release of Iranian funds by President Joe Biden's administration has received criticism, as some believe it provides Iran with resources that could have been used in the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, has previously claimed that Iran funds Hamas.

Critics have scrutinized Iran's supposed property rights in the South Pole, highlighting the breach of the Antarctic Treaty and the potential international security concerns that arise from the imagery of a military base in Antarctica. These claims not only challenge the Biden administration but also seek to reshape the geography of a region that has been preserved as a natural reserve.

Yonah Jeremy Bob, author of "Target Tehran," aptly describes Iran's ambition as part of their "trend of aggression across the globe." With Iran's claims of ownership over Antarctica, the international community remains on alert, condemning any move that threatens the principles and harmony established by the Antarctic Treaty of 1959.