TEHRAN- Sergei Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, has reiterated Moscow’s regard for Iran’s territorial integrity in response to the Islamic Republic’s rejection of an Arab-Russian statement that supported the United Arab Emirates’ baseless claim over three Iranian islands.

In a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Tuesday, the top diplomat for Russia stated, “Russia cordially, honestly, and unconditionally respects Iran’s territorial integrity.”

Lavrov said, “And this is Moscow's inflexible position.”

Since December 20, when the final statement of the 6th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum, held in Morocco, reiterated the UAE’s baseless claims to the three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb, Russia has repeatedly vowed to respect Iran’s territorial integrity.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry expressed “strong protest” in writing to the Russian envoy over Moscow’s continuous support for the “groundless claims” that were contained in the statement, and on Saturday it summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires to Tehran in protest over the statement.

In a Friday telephone conversation between Amir Abdollahian ad Lavrov, Iran asserted its territorial integrity, designating the Iranian trio islands as an inseparable part of the nation's sovereign territory.

The phone call touched upon key issues addressed at the 6th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum in Morocco in regard to the three Iranian islands. Amir Abdollahian emphasized the rejection of any claims made by external parties regarding this matter. 

The top Iranian diplomat addressed the trio islands as an integral part of Iran's territorial integrity, stating, “Concerning Iran's territorial integrity and governance matters, we hold no formalities with any party.”

Amir Abdollahian acknowledged the positive and growing relations between Iran and Russia, highlighting that respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries is a fundamental principle in international relations.

Numerous historical, legal, and geographical records from Iran and other countries throughout the world attest to the fact that the three Persian Gulf islands have traditionally been a part of Iran. On the other hand, the UAE has presented claims to the islands on several occasions.

The British lost control of the islands in 1921, but Iran regained control over them on November 30, 1971, two days before the United Arab Emirates was set to become an official federation and one day after British soldiers departed the region.

Iran, Azerbaijan FMs review developments in South Caucasus

On Tuesday evening, the foreign ministers of Iran and Azerbaijan spoke over the phone on bilateral ties and the most recent events in the South Caucasus.

Amir Abdollahian mentioned his visit to Armenia and expressed satisfaction with the state of the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia during the phone call.

He underlined once more Iran’s ongoing positive efforts to bring about a long-lasting peace between Baku and Yerevan.

Jeyhun Bayramov, for his part, provided a good assessment of the negotiating process between Azerbaijan and Armenia while also praising Iran’s supportive stances.

He expressed optimism that the two nations will soon sign the final peace deal.

In addition, during the phone call, the parties congratulated the first inauguration of the Astrachai border bridge in the closing days of this year and emphasized the importance of the bridge’s construction in the growth of economic relations between the two nations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani evaluated on Monday the meeting between the prosecutors of Iran and Azerbaijan and the efforts to resolve ties between the two countries as positive, adding that a roadmap has been prepared to reopen the Azeri embassy in Iran.

Azerbaijan announced on January 30 that it was suspending activity of its embassy in Tehran. The decision followed days after a gunman stormed the diplomatic center killing one guard and wounding two others. Iran has said the attack was motivated by personal reasons but Baku labeled it an act of terrorism.

"The operation of Azerbaijan's embassy in Iran has been temporarily suspended following the evacuation of its staff and their family members from Iran," Azerbaijani foreign ministry spokesman Ayxan Hacizada said. "That doesn't mean that diplomatic ties had been severed," he said, adding that Baku's consulate general in the Iranian city of Tabriz was "up and running."