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Iranwire – Three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf have become a flashpoint in Middle Eastern diplomacy, with the United Arab Emirates rallying international support for its territorial claims.
In the most recent development, the European Union and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council issued a joint statement that marks a significant escalation.
The statement, released following a meeting of what the groups now call their “Joint Council,” describes Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa as islands belonging to the UAE and characterizes Iran’s presence as an “occupation.”
The language represents a diplomatic victory for Abu Dhabi.
Paragraph 51 of the statement calls on Iran to “end its occupation of the three islands of the United Arab Emirates, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, which constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of the UAE and the principles of the Charter of the UN.”
The Joint Council expressed “grave concern over the lack of progress in resolving the dispute between the UAE and Iran over the three islands” and reiterated support for “a peaceful settlement of this dispute through bilateral negotiations or referral to the International Court of Justice in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.”
The statement reflects a broader pattern that has emerged over the past two years.
The UAE has secured backing from major powers, including Russia, China, and now the European Union.
Both Russia and the EU have endorsed the UAE position multiple times despite Iranian protests, while China’s president joined Arab leaders in calling for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The international alignment comes at a particularly vulnerable moment for Iran. The country faces mounting domestic challenges alongside its regional isolation, creating what UAE officials apparently view as an opportune time to intensify pressure on Tehran.
The Iranian government’s response has been notably muted, limited largely to protests from Foreign Ministry spokespersons.
Officials in Tehran have avoided even summoning the UAE ambassador for formal complaints.
When Russia sided with the UAE claim, Iranian authorities said they only “invited” the Moscow ambassador to the Foreign Ministry to share concerns.
The roots of the dispute trace back more than a century, to when the British Empire had influence throughout the Persian Gulf region, including over the sheikhdoms that would eventually form the UAE.
The modern chapter of the story began in 1971, when Britain prepared to withdraw from the Persian Gulf.
That November, as the Shah still ruled Iran, a deal was signed between Tehran and London. Britain at the time served as guardian of the Sharjah sheikhdom, which later became one of the seven emirates forming the UAE.
Under the 1971 arrangement, Iran and Sharjah established joint sovereignty over Abu Musa. The island’s southern section, where Sharjah Arabs lived, fell under Sharjah control.
Iranian forces stationed themselves in the northern part. The agreement appeared to work for more than two decades.
Then came the summer of 1992. The Islamic Republic, which had replaced the Shah’s government 13 years earlier, expelled “foreign” workers who had been managing a school, medical center, and power plant in the section under UAE sovereignty.
Most of the expelled workers were Indian nationals. Like workers throughout the UAE mainland – in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi – these individuals formed part of the labor force that powers the Emirates’ economy.
Over three decades, the situation has evolved to the point where EU member states, China, Russia, the United States, and the five other Persian Gulf countries support the UAE claim and describe Iran as an “occupier” of the three islands.
The UAE claims that Iran seriously “violated the memorandum of understanding” regarding Abu Musa.
According to the agreement, Iranian forces were authorized to be in specific areas where Iran had “full jurisdiction,” while the UAE maintained “full jurisdiction” over the remainder.
Abu Dhabi claims that Iran’s jurisdiction was limited to regulating and controlling Iranian military forces in designated areas under the Iranian flag.
Any other activities, particularly those affecting sovereignty determination, fell outside authorized jurisdiction.
In recent years, following Tehran’s efforts to improve relations with the UAE, some rights on Abu Musa have been restored.
But the UAE has accumulated three decades of claims and international backing. Officials in Abu Dhabi see no reason to retreat from their position now.
The timing could hardly be worse for Iran. The country faces what many describe as a dire political situation both domestically and internationally.
Recent weeks have seen the return of all United Nations Security Council resolutions, alongside unprecedented military strikes by Israel and the United States on Iranian targets.
Against this backdrop, the islands dispute has emerged as yet another source of national concern.
