Iran on Wednesday summoned Russia's ambassador in Tehran, Alexey Dedov, after a statement Moscow made in favor of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and against Iran's claim to the contested three islands.
On Monday, Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a statement calling for a “a peaceful solution” to the dispute over the Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands “in accordance with international law." The statement followed a daylong meeting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hosted in Moscow. Iran then summoned the ambassador to voice its “objections on the content of the statement,” Agence France-Presse reported.
The dispute over the Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands dates back decades. Iran seized control of the islands on Nov. 30, 1971 — just two days before the UAE became a country. The UAE claims sovereignty over the islands, but Iran still administers them and has repeatedly defended its claim.
Separately, Kuwait returned 11 prisoners to Iran late on Tuesday, a move that follows the resumption of relations between the two countries but also comes amid a lingering gas dispute.
