Iran has taken issue with the statement issued by the 6th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum concerning the three Persian Gulf islands that are under dispute and are important to Tehran. The Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa islands are essential components of Iran's national territory and will always be a part of Iran, the Foreign Ministry of Iran reaffirmed.
These islands are essentially under the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which also claims permanent sovereignty over them. When Moscow announced its support for peace efforts to settle the conflict over the three islands during the Sixth Russia-GCC Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in July, Iran took offense.
This time, Iran's resolve to maintaining its territorial integrity and national sovereignty over the Persian Gulf islands was underscored by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani. He highlighted Iran's steadfast position on its sovereign and territorial rights and underlined Iran's rejection of any claims made by others on the islands.
Kanaani emphasized Iran's commitment to promoting good neighborly relations and fortifying its connections with its neighbors. He urged his neighbors to stop making unfounded accusations and to improve their relationship by taking into account their common strengths on a bilateral and regional basis.
Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb are permanent and vital portions of Iranian territory, and any claims to the islands are seen by Iran as an encroachment on its internal territory, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Russia has taken a practical approach to managing its ties in the Middle East, striking a balance between them rather than forging strict alliances at the expense of others. Gulf International Forum non-resident fellow Diana Galeeva emphasized Iran's vital role as Russia's security ally, particularly in Syria. She did point out that the Kremlin has increased connections with Gulf nations, realizing their potential for investment and influence in the oil sector.
The goals of the Kremlin depend more and more on both sides of the Gulf. Russia's economy is increasingly dependent on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states due to their crucial role in the world oil markets, even if Iran is still a major military and trading partner.