Remarkable move from Iran! China's Ambassador to Tehran summoned to the ministry

China's decision to take sides regarding the islands in the Persian Gulf, which have been a source of sovereignty disputes between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and its signing of a declaration recognizing UAE sovereignty, has sparked reactions in Iran.

"SUPPORTING BASELESS CLAIMS IS UNACCEPTABLE"

In a statement issued by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was reported that China's Ambassador to Tehran, Cong Peiwu, was summoned to the ministry.

The statement read, "It is unacceptable for the Chinese administration to once again support baseless claims regarding the islands in the joint declaration published after the meeting held with the UAE. As Iran, we view our relationship with China as privileged and special. Mutual respect for borders and the protection of territorial integrity form the foundation of the two countries' relations."

CALL TO BEIJING

Emphasizing that the three islands in the Persian Gulf belong to Iran, the statement added, "We consider any claims and statements that ignore Iranian sovereignty over the islands to be unacceptable. In line with the strategic cooperation between Iran and China, our expectation from the Beijing administration is to change its policies regarding the islands."

WHAT DID CHINA SAY?

In the joint declaration published regarding the islands located in the Persian Gulf, China stated that it supports the diplomacy conducted by the UAE for the resolution of the three-island issue and that it favors a peaceful resolution of the matter.

Iran last reacted to China regarding the islands in 2022 and condemned China's statements that viewed the islands as being under UAE sovereignty. In the final declaration published after the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in 2022, the three islands in the gulf were also viewed as being under UAE sovereignty.

ISLAND DISPUTE

The Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb islands located in the Persian Gulf are the cause of border disputes between Iran and the UAE. The islands, which remained under British occupation until 1971, were handed over to the UAE by the British upon the end of the occupation, and subsequently, Iran took control of the islands.

The Tehran administration, which claims rights over the islands, argues that its sovereignty dates back to ancient times and maintains the thesis that the islands belonged to it before the British occupation.

News Source: İHA