Iranian interior minister visits disputed Abu Musa Island in Persian Gulf

By Ahmet Dursun

ANKARA (AA) – Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Thursday visited Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf, a territory claimed by both the UAE and Iran.

Vahidi used the opportunity to warn some neighboring countries against making baseless remarks concerning the Iranian Persian Gulf islands, as reported by Iranian state television.

In response to statements made about the Iranian Persian Gulf islands following the 6th Russia-Arab Forum in Morocco on December 20, Vahidi stated, "Baseless, empty, and invalid statements about Iran's islands are being made."

The Iranian minister said they will address the infrastructure and housing deficiencies on Abu Musa Island as soon as possible.

Following the Russian-Arab Forum, a joint statement emphasized backing peaceful resolution efforts, adhering to international legal norms, and engaging in bilateral negotiations to address the Iran-UAE dispute over Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa islands.

The next day, however, the Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement declaring that Tehran's sovereignty over the three islands is not negotiable.

On the issue, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday.

During the call, Lavrov said Russia unconditionally respects Iran's territorial integrity, and this is Moscow's unchangeable position.

On Saturday, Iran summoned Russia’s charge d'affaires in Tehran to convey its strong protest to the declaration.

- Dispute over islands between Iran, UAE

Due to their proximity to the Strait of Hormuz and the potential for oil in the region, Iran and the UAE claim sovereignty over the strategic islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb.

Until 1971, the islands were under British occupation. Shortly after the UK transferred control of the islands to the UAE in Nov. 1971, Iran asserted its dominance over the islands.

The UAE considers Iran, which deployed military forces to the islands, as an "occupier."

Iran argues that its historical rights to the islands date back much further, claiming that the territories were temporarily under British control in 1903 and returned in 1971.

Consequently, Iran maintains that the UAE, which did not exist at the time, cannot claim sovereignty.

The UAE is actively pursuing initiatives with Arab countries and international organizations based on its claims to the islands.

In April 2020, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei instructed the establishment of settlements on the islands in the Persian Gulf.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan