TEHRAN - In a resolute letter to the United Nations Security Council, Iran has categorically dismissed the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) unfounded assertions regarding the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf.

Iranian Ambassador to the UN, Saeed Iravani, denounced the allegations as a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and a blatant attempt to interfere in Iran's internal affairs.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran unequivocally rejects and condemns all allegations in the letter and considers the contents of the letter as a flagrant and unjustified interference in its internal affairs, in direct contradiction to the spirit of good neighborliness, and a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, particularly the principles of political sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity,” the Iranian envoy wrote.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its sovereignty over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf and emphasizes that all decisions and actions taken by its authorities in these Iranian islands have always been, and will continue to be, based on the principle of national sovereignty,” Iravani added.

The Iranian envoy implored the UAE to cease its irresponsible and provocative actions. He urged the UAE, as a member of the United Nations, to adhere to the fundamental principles of international law.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the United Arab Emirates to refrain from such irresponsible and provocative actions and, as a member of the United Nations, respect the principles of independent sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states that are foundational tenets upon which the United Nations was established. All member states are required to uphold and observe these principles. Furthermore, these principles are recognized as essential for fostering peaceful relations and cooperation among states,” he stated. 

Iran is one of the oldest civilizations in the region and the world. Its sovereignty over the Iranian trio islands dates back to the 6th century BCE when the UAE was still hundreds of years away from emerging as a political entity. The Islands were shortly occupied by British forces in the 1960s, a period that seems to be Abu Dhabi’s excuse for arguing sovereignty over the Iranian territories.