Arab League stresses UAE sovereignty over Iran-occupied islands

The Arab League Ministerial Council has reiterated the UAE’s absolute sovereignty over its three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa. 

It also supports all the procedures and peaceful means taken by the UAE to retrieve its sovereignty over the three islands.

In a communique issued late on Sunday at the conclusion of its 141st session, the council slammed the continuation of Iran to consolidate its occupation of the three islands, violating UAE sovereignty, and destabilising security and stability in both the region and the world. It also denounced the construction of houses by the Iranian government on the three UAE islands for its citizens.

The communique denounced Iranian military manoeuvres on the three islands and in the regional waters and airspace, as they are inseparable parts of the UAE, calling on Iran to stop the violations and provocations deemed an interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country. It added that, “such moves will not help build confidence, but threaten the security and stability of the region and expose regional and international navigation in the Arabian Gulf to danger”.

The communique also slammed Iran for opening two offices on Abu Mousa Island, calling on Iran to remove those illegal premises and respect the UAE’s territories. It added that such conduct does not go along with efforts to settle the issue amicably.

The council praised the UAE initiatives to find a just solution to the issue of the three islands being occupied by Iran.

It called on Iran to translate into action its declaration to improve relations with the Arab countries, adding that Iran has to respond to sincere calls of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), friendly countries and UN Secretary-General to settle the issue of the three islands peacefully in accordance with international laws and norms.

The communique called on the UN Secretary-General and President of the UN Security Council to keep the issue on the agenda until Iran ends its occupation and the UAE recovers its full sovereignty over the three islands. It also urged the Arab League Secretary-General to follow the issue and present an update to the council in its next ordinary session.