The Three Islands, Abu-Musa, Greater and lesser Tunbs Will Remain Part of Iran Forever
Dec. 17, 09 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Iran once again dismissed the latest claims by Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) on Iranian islands of Abu-Musa, lesser and greater Tunbs located in southern waters off the Iranian coast.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ramin Mihmanparast said the three islands have always been and will always remain an integral part of Iran. The PGCC in their last meeting issue another communiqué claiming unfounded sovereignty over the strategic islands.
The PGCC recently met in Kuwait-City to discuss issues of mutual interests. Their latest meeting aimed to tackle the growing financial problems in Dubai and also the group seem to have made an initial agreement on a common currency but did not specify whether the monetary union could be launched during the leaders’ summit as expected. However, in their final communiqué they touched upon the Iranian islands as they normally in their meetings.
Mehmanparast said the three islands belong to Iran forever and bringing up of the issue is a clear interference in Iran’s internal affairs. He also expressed Tehran’s willingness to take part in bilateral discussions with the UAE officials to clarify misunderstandings.
The Persian Gulf State of UAE every so often brings forth an unfounded claim of saying that the three islands are part of its territory. However, the UAE itself was recognized as a country in 1971 by a deal between then British Empire and local sheiks and warlords.
The UAE is a member of the PGCC. The group involves mostly oil and gas rich countries around the Persian Gulf that are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. These countries together hold nearly 45 percent of world’s proven oil reserves.
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