Official registration of the Persian Gulf Islands: Ending any baseless claims over their ownership

The 30th of November has been designated as the National Day of Iran’s Three Islands — islands that will forever remain part of the sacred land of our country and hold a special place in the hearts of our people.

To solidify the boundaries and cadastral mapping of these islands—an integral part of Iran located in the eternally Persian Gulf—the Iranian Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties has issued cadastral ownership deeds for Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa in the name of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The cadastral system, based on precise geometric maps and coordinates recorded in the national “Shamim” system, greatly reduces the possibility of any misuse, illegal occupation, land grabbing, unauthorized land use changes, or encroachment on national lands.

The ownership deed for Greater Tunb Island—one of Iran’s three islands in the Persian Gulf—covering an area of 10,832,250 square meters, has been issued in the name of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The ownership deed for Lesser Tunb Island, covering 1,394,179 square meters, was issued in March 2023, and the deed for Abu Musa Island, covering 12,722,683 square meters, was issued in February 2021.

This action by the Judiciary is fully aligned with higher-level mandates, including Article 3 of the Comprehensive Cadastral Law (2014), which obligates the Registration Organization to issue cadastral deeds for all lands in the country—from forests to seas and islands. It is also in accordance with Clause 26 of Chapter Seven of the general policies of the Seventh Development Plan, issued by the Supreme Leader, which strongly emphasizes the full implementation of cadastre nationwide.

Issuing ownership deeds for the three islands is seen as a practical step by the Judiciary toward fulfilling this strategic directive, as well as a move to safeguard Iranian territory and eliminate any foothold for foreign interference.

The three islands are an inseparable part of Iran—not only in geography and history, but now, with formal and precise cadastral documentation, they are also recorded in the country’s registration system with the highest degree of legal solidity.