Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — Iran has sent a letter of protest to the UN Security Council, rejecting what it calls “false allegations” made by the Arab League, according to the official IRNA news agency.
The agency reported that Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, sent the letter in response to “the Arab League’s announcement attached to the letter dated May 20, 2024, addressed by the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council.”
In its message, Iran expressed “strong condemnation and categorically rejected the unjust and baseless accusations against its sovereignty and territorial integrity, which were raised in paragraph 11 of the Arab League statement. The country considered this action a blatant and unfair interference in its internal affairs.”
The letter added that “this action not only contradicts the spirit of good neighborliness but also constitutes a flagrant violation of the basic principles of international law and the UN Charter, especially the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.”
Iran affirmed “its indisputable sovereignty over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf.” It also “strongly condemned the use of a false name for the Persian Gulf in paragraphs 11 and 16 of the aforementioned statement and considered it unacceptable.”
Iran’s letter noted that the “Persian Gulf” is the only legal and correct geographical name for this water area, having been used since ancient times. All official global cartographic organizations recognize and respect this sea area as the “Persian Gulf,” according to the letter.
The UAE has repeatedly called on Iran to end its occupation of the three islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa.
Last September, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, said in a statement to the annual meetings of the United Nations General Assembly: “No matter how long this issue lasts, our legitimate right to these islands will remain, and time will not invalidate our sovereignty over them, or stop us from demanding a solution, either through direct negotiations or the International Court of Justice. This has been the UAE’s firm position for decades,” according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Iran Protests Arab League Accusations Regarding Islands in the Persian Gulf
Iran has formally protested to the United Nations Security Council against “false allegations” made by the Arab League concerning its sovereignty over three islands in the Persian Gulf. The official Iranian news agency, IRNA, reported that Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, submitted a letter of protest following the Arab League’s statement, which was attached to a letter from the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations. This statement, dated May 20, 2024, was addressed to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council.
Iran Denounces Interference and Reasserts Sovereignty
In its protest letter, Iran strongly condemned the Arab League’s accusations, deeming them “unjust and baseless” and a “blatant and unfair interference” in its internal affairs. The letter stated that Iran categorically rejects the allegations targeting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, specifically those raised in paragraph 11 of the Arab League statement.
Iran Condemns False Name for the Persian Gulf
Iran further criticized the Arab League’s use of a “false name” for the Persian Gulf in paragraphs 11 and 16 of its statement, deeming this unacceptable. Iran firmly maintains that “Persian Gulf” is the sole legal and correct geographical name for this body of water, a designation that has been in use since ancient times. The protest letter emphasized that all official global cartographic organizations recognize and respect the “Persian Gulf” as the correct name for this sea area.
UAE’s Stance on the Islands
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has repeatedly called on Iran to end its occupation of the three islands in question: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. In September 2023, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, made a statement during the annual meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, reiterating the UAE’s stance on the matter. She stated that, regardless of the duration of the dispute, the UAE’s legitimate right to these islands remains firm, and that time does not diminish its sovereignty over them. She also expressed the UAE’s desire for a resolution through direct negotiations or the International Court of Justice. This position reflects the UAE’s long-held stance, dating back decades, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
A Long-Standing Dispute
The ownership of these three islands has been a source of contention between Iran and the UAE for many years. The UAE claims that it was forcibly occupied by Iran in the 1970s. Iran, on the other hand, maintains that its sovereignty over the islands is based on historical evidence and international law. The dispute has been a significant obstacle to improving relations between the two countries.
International Law and the Role of the UN
The UN Security Council, as the primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, plays a crucial role in addressing disputes between states. The UN Charter emphasizes the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. Iran’s letter of protest to the Security Council highlights these principles, arguing that the Arab League’s allegations constitute a violation of international law. It remains to be seen how the Security Council will respond to Iran’s protest and whether it will take any action to mediate the dispute between Iran and the Arab League.
Key Takeaways
- Iran has submitted a formal protest to the UN Security Council regarding allegations made by the Arab League concerning its sovereignty over three islands in the Persian Gulf.
- Iran considers the accusations “false” and an interference in its internal affairs, reiterating its claim to the islands based on historical evidence and international law.
- The UAE has consistently maintained its claim to the islands and seeks a resolution through negotiations or the International Court of Justice.
- The dispute over the islands has been a long-standing obstacle to improved relations between Iran and the UAE.
- The UN Security Council will play a significant role in addressing the dispute and upholding the principles of international law.
Keywords
* Iran
* Arab League
* Persian Gulf
* Abu Musa
* Greater Tunb
* Lesser Tunb
* UAE
* UN Security Council
* International Law
* Territorial Integrity
* Sovereignty
* Dispute
* Islands
* Diplomacy
* Geopolitics