Iran’s FM Asserts Unyielding Territorial Integrity in Talks with Russian Counterpart
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran's firm stance on national sovereignty and territorial integrity took center stage in phone discussions between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, on Friday afternoon.
Pointing to the final statement of the 6th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum in Morocco issued on Thursday, Amirabdollahian staunchly reaffirmed Iran’s resolute position, adamantly asserted the trio islands as “inseparable” components of Iran's territorial integrity, and categorically dismissed any external assertions concerning these vital territories.
Amirabdollahian’s reaction was in response to a joint statement issued by several Arab countries and Russia on Iran’s three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb.
Iran's foreign minister also stressed the burgeoning ties between Moscow and Tehran. He emphasized, with gravity, the paramount importance of respecting nations' sovereignty and territorial boundaries in global relations, reiterating Iran's unwavering stance on these pivotal principles.
The three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, have historically been part of Iran, as evidenced by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and elsewhere. However, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has repeatedly claimed ownership of the islands.
The islands were taken over by the British in 1921, but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces had left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.
In the telephone conversation, Lavrov echoed Russia's acknowledgment of Iran's sovereignty, citing vigilance in upholding it during negotiations for the Morocco statement.
He reiterated Russia's enduring respect for Iran's territorial integrity, explicitly referencing commitment to uphold Iran's sovereignty during discussions for the final statement of the Morocco meeting.
The talks also delved into recent South Caucasus developments, the Palestinian crisis, and the critical bilateral and regional concerns.
Lavrov underscored Iran's pivotal role in fostering peace in the South Caucasus, emphasizing the strategic significance of Moscow-Tehran relations.
Amirabdollahian finally highlighted the positive strides in peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He underscored the detrimental impact of external interventions and urged the leveraging of regional capabilities to foster peace between the two nations.
