Iran Reiterates Sovereignty over Trio Islands, Blasts PGCC for Deepening Gaps in Region

Rasa - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi condemned repeated territorial claims raised by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council over the three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb, and blasted the PGCC for its unconstructive policies in the region.

News ID: 425639

Date: 09 December 2016 - 22:13

RNA - Qassemi's remarks came in reaction to the final declaration of the 37th annual summit of the PGCC, comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain in Manama.

"The PGCC must stop leveling groundless allegations against Tehran," Qassemi said.

He reiterated that such claims would not change the reality about the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty over its three islands in the Persian Gulf.

“The islands of the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa are an inseparable part of the Iranian territory; repetition of such baseless claims will have no impact on our country’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty over these islands,” Qassemi added.

He called on the PGCC to stop interfering in Iran's internal affairs, including efforts by certain members to create sectarian and religious strife.

International documents clearly show that the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa 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 agreement, which came into being before its establishment.

Yet, the UAE continues to make territorial claims against the Islamic Republic despite historical evidence and international regulations.

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