Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham[/caption]TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham condemned the recent allegations raised by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) about Irans three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb.
The remarks by Afkham came after the PGCC at the end of its 132nd foreign ministerial meeting issued a statement repeating its old allegations about the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ownership of Iran's trio islands in the Persian Gulf.
"This statement is a clear instance of interference in the Islamic Republic of Iran's internal affairs. Iran condemns and fully rejects the contents of the statement, and reiterates that such stances have and will not have any influence other than deviating the public opinion and delaying the purposeful cooperation among the regional nations," the Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman said.
Afkham deplored the interfering stance of the PGCC on the three Iranian islands, and said such allegations have resulted from a lack of understanding of historical realities and the current conditions in the region.
"Good neighborliness, mutual respect and non-interference in others' internal affairs as well as attention to non-delusive realities comprise our principled policy towards the Persian Gulf littoral states, and the Islamic Republic of Iran once again reiterates its preparedness to improve and expand relations with the Persian Gulf states under the present sensitive conditions in the region," she added.
Iranian officials have on many occasions rejected the claims raised by the UAE on the three Iranian islands, underlining that such statements are baseless and unfounded.
International documents clearly show that the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa which were historically owned by Iran, temporarily fell to British control in 1903. The islands were returned to Iran based on an agreement in 1971 before the UAE was born.
Iran has repeatedly declared that its ownership of the three islands is unquestionable.
Under international law, no state can defy any agreement, which came into being before its establishment.
Yet, the UAE continues to make territorial claims against the Islamic Republic despite historical evidence and international regulations.
By Fars News Agency
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