Context: Russia and China appear to be supporting UAE in its claim over the three small disputed islands located near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. This has been seen well by Iran's government.
Three Disputed Islands: Abu Musa, Greater Tunb & Lesser Tunb
- Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb are three small islands located near the entrance of Strait of Hormuz in Persian Gulf.
- Only Abu Musa is inhabited by small population and all three have Iranian naval and airforce presence.
- Though the size of these islands is very small, the strategic importance of these islands is that due to the greater depth of sea large oil tankers and ships pass between Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb islands.
- Currently, these three islands are under the administrative control of Iran.
Iran-UAE dispute over the islands
- Iran's claim: According to Iran, these islands have historically under its control. In 1971, the then Shah of Iran dispatched Royal Navy to these three islands after the British withdrew its forces from UAE. These three islands fell into British hands in 1921, prior to which they were under Persian control.
- UAE's claim: UAE maintains that these three islands were part of the territory which later became UAE. Iran illegally annexed these three islands just two days before UAE was born. UAE has even raised this issue in UNSC.
But history says something else First, the Iranian islands are in the hands of the UAE Islands with Persian names: 1. Zarkoh Island 2. Das Island 3. Ariana Island and... And recently the UAE has changed the names of some of them. But historical documents cannot be changed. Also, according to historical documents, the entire territory of the UAE was in Jolfaveh province of Iran during the past centuries. Emiratis have no right to protest. It is possible that they will lose the entire territory of the UAE.