Iran Rejects Repeated GCC Claims Over the Three Islands

According to Rokna, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, responding to a section of the recent statement issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council—which once again raised claims concerning the ownership of the three islands—announced Tehran’s position. The statement reads: “The islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb are inseparable parts of Iranian territory, and any claim or position taken in this regard lacks legal validity.”

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, referring to the “clear historical background and documented legal status” of the islands, added: “The repetition of unfounded assertions by some GCC member states not only fails to contribute to regional stability and security, but also diverts attention from the real priorities of the countries in the region.”

He stressed that Iran has always sought constructive relations with its southern neighbors in the Persian Gulf, but “will maintain a firm and explicit stance against any territorial claim or measures based on political maneuvering.”

In another part of the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the GCC Secretariat “to refrain from interfering in Iran’s sovereign and internal matters and instead focus on enhancing regional cooperation and strengthening collective security.”

It is noteworthy that the Gulf Cooperation Council has, in recent years, raised similar claims regarding the three islands in several of its statements. However, Iran has repeatedly and at various levels described these assertions as unacceptable and has underscored its historical ownership of the islands.