Rejecting interventionist remarks, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations stressed Iran's participation in promoting regional peace and security, as well as its ownership of the three islands.







He made the remarks at a virtual meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday after some baseless allegations made against Iran.

"Three islands (Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands) have always been part of Iran and will remain so," Majid Takht-Ravanchi said.

"Iran has played an incontestable role in ensuring energy security, commercial navigation and stability in the Persian Gulf region," he added.

Emphasizing Iran's contribution in promotion of peace and security in this sensitive region, he said, "Iran’s defensive requirements including its missile program stem from geostrategic calculations and a significant historical experience."

"During Saddam Hussein’s eight-year aggression against Iran that was supported through different means by the US and a number of PGCC countries, our cities were showered by Iraqi missiles and our people were fallen victim to chemical and other lethal weapons provided to Saddam mainly by the West," Iranian diplomat noted.

"Simultaneously, unjust sanctions and restrictions deprived us of rudimentary means of self-defense. It is our responsibility now to prevent the recurrence of such appalling situation," Takht-Ravanchi highlighted.

He went on to say, "It should be borne in mind that security must originate from within and cannot be purchased from outside. Those in our region who spend hundreds of billions of dollars on sophisticated armaments annually should realize that huge military expenditures neither create legitimacy nor long-lasting security. They have only turned our region into a powder keg and the only beneficiaries are the exporters of these deadly weapons."

"Some PGCC forces are using these sophisticated armaments against the innocent people of Yemen who are experiencing the worst man-made humanitarian catastrophe of contemporary history; a clear case of war crime," Iranian diplomat added.

"There is a long list of internationally wrongful acts attributable to those who make baseless allegations against Iran. Nonetheless, we are not here to delve into the past. Our first and foremost priority should be to build mutual trust and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and no interference in their internal affairs, and promote cooperation on an equal footing in order to create a better and safer region," he noted.

Takht-Ravanchi stressed, "Since the issue related to Iranian islands has been mentioned here, I have to say that Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands have always been part of Iran. These islands are Iranian and will remain so."

"Let me conclude by once again reiterating our call for a constructive dialogue with our neighbors with a view to dispelling misunderstandings and restoring friendly relations among all littoral States of the Persian Gulf," he added.



 

Source: MNA