GCC chief slams Iran's silence on Abu Musa

Iran faces criticism of its attitude towards Gulf countries after its refusal to end occupation of three islands.

ABU DHABI // Iran faces mounting criticism of its attitude towards other Gulf countries after aggravating its refusal to end occupation of three islands in the Strait of Hormuz by questioning the legitimacy and survival prospects of regional governments.

Abdul Rahman al Attiya, secretary general of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), described as "irresponsible and blatant" comments attributed to Manuchehr Mohammadi, the research deputy of the Iranian foreign minister. Speaking on Abu Dhabi TV, Mr Attiya said Tehran's failure to respond to the GCC's denunciation of the building of two marine offices on one of the islands, Abu Musa, reflected an "absence of a constructive vision for neighbourly relations".

The GCC has supported the Government in demanding that Iran should end its occupation of Abu Musa, seized along with the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands in 1971. Mr Attiya said Iran had demonstrated its unneighbourly stance by "talking about [continuing] the occupation of the UAE's islands". Iran has remained silent in the face of the rebukes provoked by its announcement that the buildings - described as a marine rescue centre and a registration office for ships and sailors - had been constructed on Abu Musa.

The UAE took the rare step of summoning the Iranian chargé d'affaires to the Foreign Ministry, where he was handed a note of protest asserting that a memorandum of understanding, signed by Iran in 1971, confirmed that sovereignty of the island rested with the Emirates. The Arab League, the Federal National Council (FNC) and political commentators throughout the region have condemned Tehran's insistence that it will not surrender the islands.

Mr Attiya made clear in his interview, broadcast on Tuesday night, that Iran was resisting the friendly approach of neighbouring countries. "There is a desire to build relations which Iran should pay attention to by maintaining neighbourly relations and respecting international laws and charters," he said. Tension between Iran and its neighbours increased earlier this month when Mr Mohammadi was quoted by the semi-official Iranian news agency, Mehr, as saying: "The next crisis predicted to cover mainly the Persian Gulf is the crisis of legitimacy of the monarchies and traditional systems which, considering current circumstances, cannot go on living."

Mr Attiya expressed "disappointment" and "deep concern" at the statement. Iran has also threatened that if it is attacked, it will close the Strait of Hormuz, which provides passage for nearly 40 per cent of the world's seaborne oil trade.