UAE reaffirms claim over three islands in Persian Gulf at UN

Source published 40m agoTerminal published 38m ago

Summary

On Monday, the UAE reaffirmed its claim over three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf—Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa—during a statement by Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar at the UN General Assembly. Al Marar condemned Iran's "occupation" of these islands, which have been under Iranian control since November 1971, just prior to the establishment of the UAE, and expressed the UAE's desire to resolve the dispute through direct negotiations or by seeking intervention from the International Court of Justice. The islands are strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for international energy shipments, prompting the UAE to emphasize the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and ensuring the safety of shipping and trade in the region.

Analysis

UAE: The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates located in the Middle East that engages actively in regional diplomacy. It is pursuing a peaceful resolution to its territorial claims over three islands in the Persian Gulf through international forums such as the United Nations. This approach reflects the UAE's current focus on direct talks or adjudication by the International Court of Justice. Iran: Iran is a Western Asian nation that has maintained administrative control over three islands in the Persian Gulf since late 1971. It considers these territories an inseparable part of its national domain and consistently rejects competing claims from neighboring states. The position underscores Iran's stance in ongoing regional maritime and sovereignty matters. Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar: Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar is the UAE Minister of State responsible for foreign affairs matters. He delivered remarks at the UN General Assembly reaffirming Abu Dhabi's rejection of Iran's control over the islands and calling for negotiated or judicial settlement. His intervention highlights the UAE's diplomatic prioritization of the issue. Strategic Location: The three islands sit near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for international energy shipments and trade. Freedom of Navigation: The UAE has stressed the need to safeguard safe maritime transit and supply chain continuity in the Persian Gulf amid regional shipping concerns.

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Analysis

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