IRGC Navy chief: Western powers using the trio of Iranian islands as a pretext to legitimize their regional presence
The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has accused Western nations of leveraging the three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf as pretexts to validate their regional presence. This assertion comes in the context of ongoing conflicts involving the Israeli regime in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri asserted the indivisibility of the three islands from Iran during remarks made at a ceremony on Tuesday. The event was held in honor of Iranian military advisor, Major General Abbas Nilforoushan, who was martyred.
Tangsirir reiterated that the three Persian Gulf islands are Iranian territories, emphasizing that they have been part of Iran since ancient history. His statement came in response to the United Arab Emirates’ ongoing claims to the islands.
He emphasized that the Emiratis should not allow adversaries to stir up tensions and destabilize the region, pointing to a recent joint statement by the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concerning three disputed Iranian islands.
The IRGC commander asserted that Western nations are attempting to deflect responsibility by using the disputed islands as a pretext to legitimize their presence in the region. This development occurs against the backdrop of what the commander described as the Israeli regime’s ongoing acts of violence against civilians in Lebanon and Gaza.
The long-standing ownership of the three Persian Gulf islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—has been a point of contention, with Iran asserting its historical control. This claim is supported by a wealth of historical, legal, and geographical documentation both within Iran and globally. Despite this, the United Arab Emirates continues to challenge Iran’s sovereignty over these strategically located territories, repeatedly insisting on its own claims to the islands.
In 1921, the islands came under British administration. However, on November 30, 1971, following the withdrawal of British forces and mere days before the formal establishment of the UAE federation, Iran reasserted its sovereignty over the islands.
Iran has reiterated its stance, cautioning against what it describes as unfounded claims made by the United Arab Emirates concerning the three disputed islands. The Iranian government criticized the issuance of political statements by the UAE, often in conjunction with other entities, asserting that such declarations are invalid and do not threaten Iran’s legal standing or its sovereignty over the islands in question.
