WANA (Sep 25) – Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the joint statement made by the U.S. President and the President of the United Arab Emirates regarding Iran’s three islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa.

 

Kanaani emphasized that the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb are inseparable parts of Iran’s territory and sovereignty, and any comments made by third parties about them are fundamentally invalid and unacceptable.

 

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the UAE’s repeated baseless claims about the Iranian islands and its political statements made in coordination with other parties lack legitimacy and do not affect the legal status of these islands, which belong to Iran, nor Iran’s sovereignty over them.

 

On September 23, in a joint statement released on the White House’s official website, the leaders of the United States and the UAE reiterated the UAE’s baseless claims over the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. They emphasized the importance of resolving the dispute over the three islands – Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa – peacefully, either through bilateral negotiations or by referring the matter to the International Court of Justice, in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.

 

Historical documents strongly confirm that these islands belong to Iran. At various times, Iran has submitted these documents to the United Nations, with historical maps indicating that the islands have belonged to Iran throughout different periods.

 

Abu Musa Island has a population of about 5,000, and in recent years, Iran has built a breakwater, an airport, and a relatively large dock to further develop the three islands.

 

Of the eight strategic chokepoints for global oil trade, the Strait of Hormuz is the most important. More than 20% of global oil exports and 33% of the world’s liquefied natural gas pass through this strait. Additionally, 90% of the Gulf countries’ oil exports and 50% of their overall foreign trade transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The geographical location of the three islands, Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb, is such that they overlook the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, any country controlling these islands can monitor all communications between the Middle East and the world.

 

Abu Musa, covering an area of 25 square kilometers, is recognized as the southernmost Iranian island in the Persian Gulf. Along with Greater and Lesser Tunb, it plays a crucial role in the country’s military system, particularly in defense, ensuring Iran’s protection of the Strait of Hormuz. Moreover, Abu Musa’s ownership by Iran extends its sovereignty over the continental shelf.

 

Additionally, the area between the three islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb is the deepest part of the Persian Gulf, making it the only suitable region for shipping and maritime transport.

 

Considering the points mentioned, the high strategic and economic importance of the three Iranian islands becomes evident.