TEHRAN — Iran reiterated ownership of three Gulf islands on which the United Arab Emirates has been laying claim and attempting to rally support, including from Tehran's allies, in a long-running territorial dispute with the Islamic Republic.
Earlier on Wednesday, the 6th Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in Morocco formally supported the UAE's stance, questioning Iran's control of the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb.
"The three islands permanently belong to the Islamic Republic of Iran," declared Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanani in a cautiously worded statement that avoided ferocious criticism of Russia. "The Islamic Republic will never give up on its sovereignty and territorial rights." The statement released on Thursday made no direct reference to Russia and only urged "northern and southern neighbours" to engage in strengthening ties with Iran, rather than "repeating" statements that have been "dismissed" in the past.
While the UAE has long demanded dialogue over the islands, Iran insists that the "sensitive" issue is non-negotiable.
