The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran summoned the Chinese ambassador to Tehran in protest at a joint statement his country and the United Arab Emirates have issued which includes “baseless claims” regarding Iran’s sovereignty over three Persian Gulf islands.

According to The Iran Project, China’s ambassador to Tehran was called in by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday in protest at the Chinese government’s support for the unfounded claims in the clause 26 of a joint statement issued at the conclusion of a meeting of China and the UAE.

The director general of the Persian Gulf directorate at the Foreign Ministry of Iran expressed Iran’s protest at China’s stance on the Iranian trio islands declared in its joint statement with the UAE.

Pointing to the special and perfect relations between Tehran and Beijing, the Iranian diplomat described respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the other nations as a fundamental principle in the international relations.

Reaffirming Iran’s eternal sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf Islands of the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, Mohammad Alibak said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s government deems any claim made by any party in this regard rejected and unacceptable.”

Considering the strategic cooperation between Iran and China, Tehran expects the Beijing government to rectify its stance on this issue, the Iranian official stated.

The Chinese ambassador said he will convey Iran’s protest to his country.

The islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world.