The US State Department has stepped into a row between the UAE and Iran over the islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.
In a statement, it said it "appreciates the UAE's efforts in this regard and urges Iran to respond positively to the UAE's initiative to resolve the issue through direct negotiations, the International Court of Justice or another appropriate international forum".
Gulf foreign ministers met in Qatar yesterday to discuss the escalating dispute between the UAE and Iran that was sparked by a visit to Abu Musa by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president.
The visit on April 11 "only complicates efforts to settle the issue," the US statement said.
Abu Musa and the Tunbs are close to the strategically important shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran invaded and occupied them in 1971 as the UAE was founded.
Mr Ahmadinejad warned yesterday that Iran would respond with force to any threats to its territorial integrity.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Rating: 5/5
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- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
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