Tehran, May 6, IRNA � Reacting to recent statement of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) in Riyadh, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Mussa islands comprise an indispensible part of Iran's territory.
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'Repeating such claims has no effect on historical facts and are null and void,' said the Iranian diplomat.

She stressed that Tehran welcomes friendly ties with its neighbors based on mutual respect and refraining from interference in internal affairs of each other.

'We also welcome broadening and deepening of friendly ties and regional cooperation,' added Afkham.

In a futile effort to divert the regional and global attention from the criminal Saudi-led aggression on the impoverished and defenseless Yemeni nation, the PGCC Riyadh meeting repeated its baseless claims on United Arab Emirates' claims on the three Iranian islands, which are both outside its territorial waters and historically of Iranian identity.

By IRNA