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Tehran dismisses Persian Gulf Cooperation Council's 'unfounded' claims on Iranian islands, Arash field

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 2, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Foreign Ministry has dismissed a statement by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council that questioned Iran's ownership of three islands, Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb, as well as Arash gas field. The ministry said that the statement contains unfounded claims that will not alter geographical realities.

The ministry made the reaction on Tuesday, a day after the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council held its 165th meeting attended by the member states' foreign ministers in Kuwait.

In their final statement, the ministers claimed that the three Iranian islands belong to the UAE, and rejected Iran's ownership of the Arash gas field disputed by Kuwait. The ministers also said that any negotiations over Iran's nuclear program should address what they described as security concerns of the PGCC member states.

The Foreign Ministry dismissed "the repetitive and legally unfounded claims" over the three Iranian islands. It reiterated Iran's indisputable sovereignty over the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb, emphasizing that they are inseparable parts of Iranian territory.

"The repetition of unfounded allegations in similar statements will not change the geographical, historical, and legal realities concerning these islands," the ministry said, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic will take all necessary actions to ensure safety and security on these islands.

The ministry also rejected claims over Arash gas field, saying that they lack credibility.

Issuing repetitive statements and unilateral claims does not grant any rights to Kuwait's government from a legal perspective, it further said, adding that a fair and sustainable agreement over Arash Field requires bilateral dialogue, joint efforts, and the creation of a positive and constructive atmosphere to uphold and secure mutual rights and interests.

On Iran's nuclear program, the Foreign Ministry emphasized the country's legitimate and legal right to benefit from nuclear energy in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, saying that any doubts about the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program are unfounded.

The Islamic Republic has always participated in confidence-building diplomatic negotiations with a responsible approach and good faith, while fulfilling its commitments under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, however, the United States and European parties have disrupted the negotiation processes through continuous violations and blatant breaches of the principles and rules of the UN Charter and international law, the ministry said.

The ministry, in its statement, drew the attention of regional countries to the real and immediate danger posed by Israel's weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), noting that achieving a region free from nuclear weapons requires collective efforts by regional countries to compel the international community to take effective measures against Israel's WMDs.

The ministry, at the same time, welcomed the PGCC's strong condemnation of the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, and stressed the need for taking effective and immediate measures, including the cessation of all political and diplomatic relations with the regime, to compel it to stop its crimes against Palestinians.

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