Iran reaffirms sovereignty over three Persian Gulf islands
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Iran dismisses GCC claims over Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs, calling them an inseparable part of its territory and vital to Iranian sovereignty.
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Iranian Foreign Minsitry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, undated (Iran Press)
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has firmly rejected the latest claims by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regarding the sovereignty of three strategic islands in the Persian Gulf, reaffirming that Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb are an inseparable part of Iranian territory.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed the references made in the final communiqué of the GCC’s 164th Ministerial Council meeting, held in Kuwait, calling them baseless and interventionist.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will take all necessary actions to safeguard its sovereignty, including over the land, water, and airspace of the three islands,” Baghaei said.
He emphasized that Iran’s governance over Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb is fully aligned with its national rights and territorial integrity.
Baghaei rejected the GCC's remarks on residential developments, visits by Iranian officials, and military exercises on the islands, stating these fall entirely within the scope of Iran’s internal affairs.
“What Iran is doing on its islands is in full accordance with its sovereign rights,” he stressed.
Tehran slams ‘interventionist’ tone on military presence
The Iranian official criticized what he described as repeated and baseless claims by GCC member states, asserting that such positions contradict international law principles on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
He urged GCC countries to avoid divisive rhetoric and instead prioritize regional cooperation.
Reiterating Iran’s historical claim, Baghaei said the three islands have always belonged to Iran, a fact supported by a wide array of historical, legal, and geographical documentation both within Iran and internationally.
Iran regained control of the islands on November 30, 1971, following the withdrawal of British forces and shortly before the formation of the UAE, which continues to dispute the claim.
Iran calls for constructive dialogue on Arash gas field
Addressing another regional dispute, Baghaei also responded to GCC comments about the Arash gas field, known in Kuwait as al-Durra, located in the Persian Gulf.
He confirmed that Iran has held discussions with the Kuwaiti government over the joint exploitation of the field and remains open to constructive cooperation in energy development.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized mutual interest and cooperation when it comes to shared hydrocarbon resources,” Baghaei stated.
The Arash gas field, discovered in the 1960s, contains an estimated 20 trillion cubic feet of reserves, with roughly 40% lying within Iranian waters.
