TEHRAN – Iran has formally issued land demarcation and ownership documents for the islands of Bu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbu islands in the Persian Gulf, reaffirming its sovereignty over these territories.
On Sunday, the National Deeds and Property Registry announced that the title deeds were registered in the name of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing that the islands are an inseparable part of Iranian territory.
Judiciary officials said the move is part of a broader national effort to protect land assets and prevent misuse and infringement.
Officials explained that the detailed geometric maps and coordinates of the national “Shamim” cadastral system were used to reduce the risk of misuse, illegal occupation, unauthorized land use changes and encroachment on state-owned land.
The title deed for Greater Tunbu covering 10,832,250 square meters has been officially recorded. The Lesser Tunbu deed for 1,394,179 square meters was issued in March 2023, and the Bu Musa title for 1,2722,683 square meters was issued in February 2021.
The judiciary said the measure is fully compliant with higher-level directives, including Article 3 of the Comprehensive Cadastral Act (2014), which obligates registration authorities to issue cadastral deeds for all land in the country, from forests to seas to islands.
This is also in line with Article 26 of Chapter 7 of the General Policy of the Seventh Development Plan promulgated by the leaders of the Islamic Revolution, which strongly emphasizes the implementation of nationwide cadastral system.
Judiciary officials said the move was a “realistic step” to fulfill this strategic mission and protect Iran’s territorial integrity.
The initiative further aims to address international disputes, particularly countering “baseless claims by foreign parties” regarding the sovereignty of the three islands.
The three islands, long considered an integral part of Iran in terms of geography and history, are now also registered in precise cadastral documents, giving them the highest degree of legal certainty within the national registration system.
The Iranian government has designated November 30th as National Foundation Day on three Iranian islands.
Historically, Bu Musa Island and Greater and Lesser Tunbu in the Persian Gulf belonged to Iran, a fact supported by numerous historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and around the world.
Nevertheless, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the islands.
These islands came under British control in 1921, but Iranian sovereignty over them was restored on November 30, 1971 (the day after British troops withdrew and two days before the UAE officially became a federation).