Iranian parliament dismisses UAE claims to Iranian islands

The UAE renewed its claims over the Iranian islands as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Abu Musa Island on April 11.

The UAE claimed that the visit “is a flagrant violation of the United Arab Emirates’ sovereignty over its territory and a transgression of efforts to find a peaceful settlement to end Iranian occupation of the three UAE islands.”

The MPs wrote that Ahmadinejad’s visit to the island of Abu Musa was an “internal issue” but stated that the Islamic Republic will negotiate with UAE officials to clear up misunderstandings.

The UAE recalled its ambassador to Tehran for consultations on April 11 over the issue.

In addition, the Emirates news agency reported on April 16 that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash had summoned the Iranian ambassador to Abu Dhabi to protest about Ahmadinejad’s visit.

The UAE foreign minister met ambassadors representing UN Security Council member states in Abu Dhabi on April 15 to convey his country’s protest to Ahmadinejad’s visit.