Iran rejects Persian Gulf Cooperation Council's claims regarding the three islands

Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dismissed the claims raised in the final statement of the 64th Persian Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers' meeting regarding the Iranian islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa.

Rejecting the interventionist remarks in the statement concerning the legal decisions and actions of competent Iranian authorities on these islands, the spokesperson stated: "The Islamic Republic of Iran, in line with exercising its sovereign rights, will take all necessary measures to ensure the country's security and interests within the territory, waters, and airspace of the three islands."

He added: "What the Islamic Republic of Iran does in relation to its three islands is fully in line with its sovereign and jurisdictional rights in exercising national sovereignty over Iranian territory. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the statements in the aforementioned communique regarding the settlement, visits by Iranian civilian and military officials to the islands belonging to Iran, and the holding of military exercises within the boundaries of its territory as interference in Iran's sovereign affairs and deems them invalid."

Baghaei stressed: "Unfortunately, once again, the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council members, disregarding historical and geographical realities, have repeated their baseless claims about the three islands. While such actions do not undermine the absolute and effective sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, they are contrary to the principles of international law regarding respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries."

He stated: "The three islands of Lesser Tunb, Greater Tunb, and Abu Musa are an inseparable part of Iranian territory, and it is expected that the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, instead of making baseless claims against Iran's territorial integrity, adopts a more constructive approach based on the commonalities of the region's nations."

Regarding the issue of the Arash field mentioned in the final statement, Baghaei noted: "Based on bilateral negotiations with the government of Kuwait and the history of talks, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized constructive cooperation in the energy sector, including in the Arash field and the joint exploitation of its hydrocarbon resources. Undoubtedly, actions based on mutual interests can pave the way for strengthening regional cooperation."