The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) has condemned statements made by Iran that infringe on the UAE's rights over its occupied islands.
GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi said Iran's recent remarks about sovereignty of the occupied Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb contained “fallacies and false claims”.
“These statements infringe upon the rights of the UAE regarding its three islands, which are occupied by Iran,” said Mr Al Budaiwi.
They also “contradict the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and good neighbourliness – principles which Iran violated through its aggression against the sovereignty and independence of the state of Qatar,” he added, referring to Iran's attack on Al Udeid US airbase in Doha during its 12-day war with Israel.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, repeated his country's claim to the islands on Monday.
The three islands in the Arabian Gulf were seized by Tehran on November 30, 1971, just before the Foundation of the UAE.
For years, the UAE has pushed for arbitration to settle the status of the islands in accordance with international law.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, on Saturday opposed the GCC's rejection of Iran's sovereignty over the islands.
Gulf leaders met in Bahrain last week for the 46th ordinary summit of the GCC, where they tackled a range of urgent issues, including security, innovation and regional diplomacy.
In the bloc’s closing statement, the Supreme Council reaffirmed its “condemnation of Iran’s continued occupation of the three islands belonging to the UAE”.
It also condemned construction efforts to settle Iranians on the islands, Iran's military manoeuvres on the islands, repeated visits by Iranian officials to them and “all escalatory hostile statements directed against the UAE”.
The council called on Iran to “respond to the UAE's efforts to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or by referring it to the International Court of Justice”.
