Iran has condemned a joint statement by Canada and the United Arab Emirates concerning three islands in the Persian Gulf, after the statement described Iran's presence on the islands as an occupation of UAE territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei responded in a post on X on Saturday morning, calling the UAE's territorial claims absurd and Canada's decision to echo them short-sighted.

The islands at the centre of the dispute are Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb. Baghaei said they are inseparable parts of Iranian territory and argued that repeating the claims would not alter what he described as established geographical, historical and legal realities.

What the joint statement said

The joint statement, issued earlier in the week, called for an end to what it described as the occupation of the three islands, saying it violated the UAE's sovereignty and the principles of the UN Charter. Baghaei rejected that characterisation, saying Canada's position was contrary to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

He also noted the UAE was only established as a federation in 1971, while arguing the islands' history as part of Iran stretches back far longer. Iran says its sovereignty over the islands predates the UAE federation, formed in 1971.

A long-running dispute

The status of the three islands has been contested for decades. Iran administers the islands and maintains that historical, legal and geographical documents support its position. The UAE disputes the claim and favours direct bilateral negotiations or referral to the International Court of Justice.

The exchange comes amid high regional tensions between Iran and the United States. Neither side suggests the dispute is close to resolution, and the statements underline how far apart their positions remain.