Iran Urges Neighbors and Russia Stop Refuted Claims on Gulf Islands
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Hashim Sheikh
- . December 21, 2023
- . Update: December 21, 2023 6:44 pm
Iran has rapped a statement by the 6th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum about the three disputed islands in the Persian Gulf that Tehran holds dear. The Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated that the three islands – the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa – are an inseparable part of Iran’s national territory and will belong to Iran forever.
The Islamic Republic of Iran exercises de facto control over these islands, and considers them perennially belonging to Iran. In July, Moscow had found itself at Iran’s receiving end after it released a statement of the Sixth Russia-GCC Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue saying that Russia agreed to support all peace efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the dispute over the three islands.
This time, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani said Iran maintains its territorial integrity and national sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf islands. He highlighted that Iran rejects any claim made by anyone on the islands, and will not by any means budge on its sovereign and territorial rights.
Iran Maintains Relations With Neighbors
Kanaani said Iran respects good neighborliness and its policy of strengthening ties with neighbors. “The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on all its northern and southern neighbors to move towards stronger relations by considering the actual and potential capabilities available at the bilateral and regional levels, and avoid repeating a series of refuted claims.”
He said Iran regards any claims over the islands as interference in its internal territory, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb are integral and perpetual parts of Iranian territory.”
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Russia Balancing Act in Gulf
Russia has been doing a balancing act, taking a pragmatic approach to dealing with its Middle Eastern partners. Experts say the Kremlin balances between adversaries rather than forming firm alliances with some states at the expense of relations with others.
Diana Galeeva, a non-resident fellow with Gulf International Forum, pointed out that Iran was a crucial security partner for Russia, particularly in Syria, but more recently, the Kremlin has expanded its relations with the Gulf countries which have greater clout in the energy trade and greater investment opportunities for Russia.
“Both sides of the Gulf are becoming especially important for the Kremlin’s objectives –Iran remains a major military and trade partner, but the GCC states, and their position in global energy markets, are increasingly vital to Russia’s economy.”
