Iran ready to end PG islands dispute with UAE: MP

A senior Iranian lawmaker reiterates Iran’s eternal ownership of the three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb, voicing Tehran’s readiness to clear misunderstandings on the issue.

“Our policy on the United Arab Emirates, as we have repeatedly said, is that we are ready to negotiate with the country to clear misunderstandings,” Chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Alaeddin Boroujerdi said Monday.

“It is natural that the three islands are an inseparable part of the Islamic Republic’s soil and its territorial integrity which are not negotiable.” Boroujerdi pointed out.

The Iranian legislator, however, emphasized that it is possible to clear misunderstandings about the islands through dialog.

He noted that Iran seeks amicable ties with all neighboring countries including the United Arab Emirates.

The Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found in and corroborated by countless historical, legal and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the UAE has repeatedly laid claims on the islands.

The islands temporarily fell under British control in the 1800s but were returned to Iran on November 30, 1971 through a legal procedure that preceded the establishment of the UAE as an independent state.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has repeatedly expressed his administration’s resolve to promote Tehran’s interaction with the international community, particularly Iran’s neighboring states, based on mutual respect.