GCC Rejects Iran’s Settlement Projects on UAE’s Disputed Islands

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has strongly condemned Iran’s continued settlement activities and military presence on the UAE’s three occupied islands, declaring such actions illegal and urging Tehran to engage in peaceful dialogue or seek international arbitration.

In its 164th session, the GCC Ministerial Council reiterated its unwavering support for the UAE’s sovereignty over Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb. The Council emphasized that all Iranian activities on these territories, including settlement construction and military deployments, have no legal standing.

A final statement released after the meeting affirmed that Iran’s actions do not alter the historical and legal facts, which clearly support the UAE’s rightful claim to the islands and their surrounding waters, airspace, and economic zones.

In recent months, Iran has intensified its activities on the disputed islands. On May 13, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy deployed new operational arrangements across what Iran refers to as the “Naziat Islands.” On April 13, Iranian officials held a ceremony on Abu Musa, reiterating claims that the islands are integral to Iran’s national identity.

Earlier in March, senior Iranian military personnel inspected bases and underground facilities on the islands. In November 2024, Iran announced plans to build a 30-hectare tourist and residential complex on Abu Musa, including 110 housing units and a new multipurpose port.

The GCC urged Iran to respond positively to the UAE’s repeated calls for a peaceful resolution. The council recommended either direct negotiations or submitting the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a diplomatic means to resolve the territorial issue.

The GCC also welcomed the European Union’s stance, referencing the joint statement issued during the first GCC-EU summit on October 16, 2024, in Brussels, which supported the UAE’s sovereignty over the islands.

The UAE maintains that its sovereignty extends fully to the islands and their surrounding territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zone.

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