
Analysis: Iran to explore Caspian reserves
Washington (UPI) May 13, 2009 - The biggest diplomatic Gordian knot left over from the 1991 demise of the Soviet Union is how equitably to divide the Caspian Sea, until then partitioned between the Soviet Union and Iran. The Caspian's coastline is now rimmed by Iran, the Russian Federation and three new nations that emerged from the implosion of the Soviet Union -- Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, all eager to develop the sea's hydrocarbon assets. While Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have been at the forefront of developing oil deposits in their commonly recognized sectors, Iran, in a historic move, is now preparing tentatively to dabble its feet in its coastal waters as well.














