TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson categorically denied interventionist and baseless allegations in a joint statement issued at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union.
Esmail Baghaei pointed out that the allegations, particularly the rehashing of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s claims to Iran’s Greater and Lesser Tunbu islands and Abu Musa Island, amount to unwarranted interference in Iran’s defense and nuclear issues.
He warned against destructive and divisive interference by some European countries in Persian Gulf affairs.
The spokesperson strongly emphasized Iran’s indisputable and eternal sovereignty over the three islands, saying they are an integral part of Iranian territory.
He reiterated that repeating unsubstantiated claims in politically motivated statements is legally invalid and does not change geographical or historical facts.
Bagai condemned the incitement by some member states of the European Union, namely Germany and France. Germany and France are not only providing unflinching support to the genocidal Israeli regime as the region’s only nuclear powers, but also imposing their desires and political objectives on the entire European Union.
He said that the European Union’s unwarranted interference in the affairs of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman does not help resolve the continent’s internal problems and conflicts, but only demonstrates the European Union’s hypocritical and divisive policy towards Iran and the Persian Gulf as a whole.
Baghai further denounced the statement’s claims about Iran’s defense capabilities as unacceptable interference in issues of Iranian national sovereignty. “Countries that have turned our region into a massive arsenal of advanced weapons of destruction, while exposing the West Asian region to endless wars due to the tyrannical attitude of genocidal and aggressive regimes and their inaction to provide full military and political support to them,” the spokesperson explained.
In a statement described as “shameful” by Iranian officials, the GCC and the EU strongly called on Iran to end its so-called “occupation” of three Iranian islands, resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and stop the proliferation of ballistic missiles and drones, the country’s most important defense assets against Western aggression and terrorism.
The Abu Musa Islands and Greater and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf 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. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the islands.
The islands came under British control in 1921, but Iranian sovereignty over them was restored on November 30, 1971, one day after British troops left the area and two days before the UAE became a formal federation.
The UAE has repeatedly claimed ownership of the three islands. However, Iran flatly rejected the UAE’s claim of sovereignty over the three islands and reiterated that Iran has ownership of the three islands.