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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday described the environmental destruction caused by conflicts in Gaza and the wider Middle East as “ecocide,” calling for international action to protect biodiversity during armed conflicts.
Speaking at the Leaders’ Summit of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan, Armenia, Pezeshkian said the environmental impact of war crosses national borders and requires international solutions.
“What has occurred in our region as a result of wars of aggression is ecocide, or environmental genocide, and it must be condemned,” Pezeshkian said at the summit, which was also attended by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Pezeshkian said war not only kills people and destroys economic infrastructure but also burns forests, damages wetlands, contaminates soil, threatens water resources and destroys wildlife habitats.
He warned that the environmental consequences could continue for years or even generations after hostilities end.
Pezeshkian said U.S. and Israeli military operations in the region had damaged industrial and energy facilities, caused fires and released pollutants into soil and water, threatening natural ecosystems.
He urged the international community to ensure nature was not treated as a “silent and defenseless victim” of armed conflict.
Pezeshkian called on international agencies and relevant institutions to strengthen mechanisms for assessing environmental damage, mobilizing financial resources, restoring damaged ecosystems and assisting countries affected by the environmental consequences of war.
Pezeshkian said developing countries needed fair access to financial resources, modern technologies, scientific knowledge and capacity-building opportunities to meet their environmental commitments.
Countries facing economic sanctions or military aggression should not be left to bear the environmental costs of sanctions or conflicts they did not initiate, he said.
Without adequate financing and equitable technology transfers, Pezeshkian warned, global biodiversity targets would remain largely limited to declarations and negotiations.
Pezeshkian highlighted Iran’s natural diversity, including the Hyrcanian and Arasbaran forests, Zagros Mountains, deserts and the coasts of the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Caspian Sea.
He said environmental protection was part of Iran’s cultural and civilizational heritage.
Iran has adopted a national biodiversity strategy and action plan, designated its Department of Environment as the national coordinating body and prioritized protecting endangered species and expanding protected areas, Pezeshkian said.
He also said Iran was ready to share its scientific expertise, academic capabilities and experience with other countries.
Pezeshkian described biodiversity conservation as an avenue for “peace diplomacy,” saying regional environmental cooperation could help bridge divisions between countries and contribute to peace, security, coexistence with nature and the well-being of future generations.
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