Iran rejects GCC claims on PG islands

Iran rejects a statement issued by the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), insisting that the Persian Gulf islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa will forever remain Iranian territories.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast dismissed the GCC claims as “repetitive and unfounded,” reiterating that the three islands are inseparable from Iran.

He added that the GCC is meddling in Iran’s domestic affairs by constantly laying claim to the three islands in its statements.

Mehmanparast said such false claims, which clearly contradict historical records, are made to divert public attention on important regional issues including Israeli atrocities.

The islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa were historically owned by Iran, but temporarily fell under British control.

The islands were then returned to Iran on November 30, 1971 through a legal process before the state of the United Arab Emirates was created and the Al Nahyan took its leadership.

According to international regulations, no state can defy any agreements which came into effect before its creation unless such agreements were officially declared as null and void by the newly created state.

The United Arab Emirates National Day, which marks its independence from Great Britain, falls on December 2, 1971.