The Iran Project - A top advisor to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has criticized the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) claims of ownership over the three islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf, saying that it will "destabilize the region's security."
Ali Akbar Velayati made the comments in an interview with Qatar's Al Jazeera on Thursday.
Velayati emphasized that these islands have historically been part of Iran and are integral to its territory.
The UAEs claims regarding the three islands have created problems between two neighboring countries, Velayati said. We will not allow any false claims regarding the Persian Gulf to become a reality, he remarked.
He warned that the UAE's repeated claims would disrupt regional security and stressed Iran's commitment to peace while safeguarding its land's integrity.
In addition, the advisor called for strengthening relations and resolving differences among countries in the region. Iran
has repeatedly asserted its sovereignty over these islands, which fell under British control in 1921 but were returned to Iran on November 30, 1971.
The UAE has persistently disputed Iran's ownership of these islands, leading to tensions between the two countries.
Tehran has also expressed its disapproval of joint statements by Arab organizations supporting the UAE's claims and has denounced these statements for violating the principle of non-interference and respect for territorial integrity.