TEHRAN – A group of Iranian nationals has called for the release of Iran’s Ariyana and Zarkhu islands, which are claimed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“We, a group of Iranian people, believing in the undisputed principle of Iran’s territorial integrity, dedicated to the national cause and the protection of the historical heritage of this land, announce the launch of a mass movement to reclaim the Iranian islands of Ariyana and Zarkhu,” the people said in a petition addressed to the heads of the three branches of government: the executive branch, the Ministry of Justice, and the parliament. Legislature.
The two islands have long been an integral part of Iranian territory, as confirmed by reliable historical documents. Ariana province, with an area of 12 square kilometers, is located in the south of the Persian Gulf. In 2012, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a natural habitat for rare animals. Zarkou, with an area of 8 square kilometers, has large oil reserves producing more than 550,000 barrels per day.
Due to the incompetence of Iranian rulers during the Qajar era, and after the British Navy’s entry into Persian Gulf waters, the two islands were gradually occupied by British forces and later handed over to the UAE without any genuine legal documents.
“There is no room for silence and appeasement at a time when certain regional countries brazenly assert baseless claims against Iranian islands,” the petition reads. “We, the undersigned, call on senior government agencies to take immediate and decisive action.”
The UAE has repeatedly claimed ownership of these two islands, as well as Greater Tunbu, Lesser Tunbu and Abu Musa.
All five islands have historically been part of Iran, evidence of which has been discovered and supported by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents from Iran and other parts of the world.
Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa fell under British rule in 1921, but Iranian sovereignty over these islands was restored on November 30, 1971, one day after British troops left the area and two days before the UAE officially became a federation.
Iran has always rejected the UAE’s sovereignty claims over the three islands and reiterated that Tehran has ownership of the islands.
While asserting its rights to the islands, the Islamic Republic has always sought to lead a policy of friendship with all neighboring countries, including the Emirates, and has expressed its intention to maintain and strengthen relations with neighboring countries.