Iran Reaffirms Sovereignty over Persian Gulf Trio Islands

In a letter for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the UN Security Council Vassily Nebenzia on July 5, Saeed Iravani reiterated Iran’s indisputable territorial sovereignty over the three islands.

“Upon instructions from my Government, I am writing to you concerning the declaration of the League of Arab States annexed to the letter dated 20 May 2024 from the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council (A/78/896-S/2024/397). The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns and categorically rejects the unjustified and baseless allegation against its sovereignty and territorial integrity in Paragraph 11 of the League of Arab States’ declaration and considers it a flagrant and unjustified interference in its internal affairs. This action directly contradicts the spirit of good neighborliness and constitutes a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, particularly the well-established principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its sovereignty over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf,” the envoy said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran also rejects and condemns the use of a fabricated name for the Persian Gulf in Paragraphs 11 and 16 of the aforementioned declaration. Iran reiterates that "The Persian Gulf" is the only legitimate and valid geographical designation for the body of water between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, a name that has been used since ancient times. All reputable cartographic organizations recognize and refer to this marine area as the ‘Persian Gulf’ that must be respected by all,” Iravani added.

He also asked the UN to present the letter circulated as a document of Security Council.