Iran maintains that it has sovereignty over disputed Gulf islands
United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 7/1/1998

Iran renewed yesterday its adherence to its sovereignty over three disputed Gulf islands.

The spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Mahmoud Mohammadi, said that the islands of Abu Moussa and Greater and Lesser Tanb cannot be separated from Iranian lands.

Mohammadi said that the only way to settle the dispute is with the continuation of discussions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Mohammadi also expressed his relief towards the readiness of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to expand their relations with Iran.

The foreign ministers of the GCC states have expressed their optimism that these meetings and formal visits between them and Iran would result in positive outcomes to settle disputes peacefully, including Iran's occupation of the three islands, where the GCC confirmed the United Arab Emirates' sovereignty on the islands which have been occupied by Iran in 1971.

Previous Stories:
  Iranian FM visit concludes without progress in island dispute   (5/25/1998)
  Iran criticizes U.A.E. - U.S. F-16 warplane deal   (5/15/1998)
  Iranian president is to visit UAE to close case of three islands   (4/1/1998)

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