Iranian spokesman: Three disputed gulf islands inseparable part of Iran

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini on Sunday strongly refuted recent "baseless allegations" made by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the three disputed islands with the United Arab Emirates, Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa islands, and called them as an inseparable part of Iranian territory.

The spokesman said the claims on the three Iranian islands are baseless and interference in Iran's internal affairs. He underlined that continuation of outdated policies run counter to new developments in the Persian Gulf region.

Hosseini also called on the GCC members to revise their stands and correct them based on historical realities. He also welcomed the GCC's stands on the rights of countries to benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes within NPT and international rules and regulations.

United Arab Emirates prime minister al-Maktoum had recently visited Iran and the subject was said to have been discussed, apparently without a resolution.