MP Stresses Iran’s Sovereignty over Persian Gulf Islands
A senior Iranian legislator dismissed the claims raised by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the three Iranian islands of Abu Mussa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf, and stressed that the three islands are indispensible parts of the country.
Member of the parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mahmoud Ahmadi Biqash said on Wednesday that no one dares to violate Iran’s sovereignty over the three Iranian Islands in the Persian Gulf.
Recently certain Arab Sheikhs have raised unfounded claims on Iranian territory, he said, adding that Lesser and Greater Tunbs and Abu Musa Islands like other cities are regarded as integral parts of Iran and the country will never let its sovereignty over the islands be violated.
International documents clearly show that the three islands, which were historically owned by Iran, temporarily fell to British control in 1903. The islands were returned to Iran based on an agreement in 1971 before the UAE was born.
Iran has repeatedly declared that its ownership of the three islands is unquestionable.
Under international law, no state can defy any agreements, which came into being before its establishment.
Although the UAE continues to make territorial claims against the Islamic Republic despite historical evidence and international regulations, Tehran has remained open to negotiations over the issue.
