Iran, UAE rehash tensions over contested islands
The UAE deputy foreign minister’s address to the United Nations stirred up the territorial dispute, which has long been at the very core of tensions between the Arab state and the Islamic Republic.
“The three islands are inseparable swaths of Iranian territory and any claim on them is vehemently rejected,” read a statement by Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations.
The statement came as a response to UAE Deputy Foreign Minister Khalifa Shaheen al-Marar, who told the UN General Assembly on Monday his country would continue to demand “sovereignty over the islands occupied by Iran.” He was referring to Abu Musa, Lesser Tunb and Greater Tunb, all located in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
