Iran calls UAE minister Israel acolyte

Iran hits back at Emirati claims on the ownership of three Persian Gulf islands, saying such outrageous remarks show that UAE officials take their cue from Israel.

Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan touched a raw nerve on Saturday when he likened Iran’s ownership of the three Persian Gulf islands to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands.

He angered Tehran officials furthermore on Sunday when he called on Iranian officials once and again to end the “occupation” of the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.

Deputy Head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Esmail Kowsari said the remarks, which he termed as “illogical,” were akin to those made by Israeli officials.

In a Monday interview with Mehr News Agency, Kowsari said such outrageous comments were only made by hypocritical government officials, who have devoted themselves to serving Israeli interests.

“Whoever makes such comments is an acolyte of Israel and has absolutely no regard for the interests of his own country and people,” said Kowsari in direct reference to Sheikh Abdullah.

“Tehran possesses historical, legal and geographical documents verifying its sovereign right to the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa,” he added.

Explaining that the remarks stemmed from Sheikh Abdullah’s lack of Islamic and political identity, Kowsari said the Iranian government will ignore their claim.