Iran Stresses Sovereignty Over Trio of Gulf Islands At UNSC

By Staff, Agencies

Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht-Ravanchi reiterated the country’s sovereignty over three Persian Gulf islands, stressing that those territories have always been and will always remain Iranian.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Takht-Ravanchi reacted to some unsubstantiated accusations raised against Iran’s regional role and attempts to dispute the country’s sovereignty over the trio.

Earlier at the session, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] Nayef Falah al-Hajraf urged Iran to respond to the body’s call to resolve the dispute over the islands through negotiations.

“Since the issue related to Iranian islands has been mentioned here, I have to say that Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunb islands have always been part of Iran. These islands are Iranian and will remain so,” Takht-Ravanchi said in response.

The strategically-positioned islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa have always been part of Iran, the proof of which can be found in and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid baseless claims to the islands.

Referring to Iran’s peaceful role in the Gulf region, the envoy said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has played an incontestable role in ensuring energy security, commercial navigation and stability in the Persian Gulf region and we will continue to contribute to the promotion of peace and security in this sensitive region.”

He also stressed that the Islamic Republic’s defensive requirements, including its missile program, stem from “geostrategic calculations and a significant historical experience.”

Iran, he added, is building up its defense capabilities in a bid to protect itself from the crimes similar to those committed by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-88 imposed war.