Disputed Persian Gulf Islands

• Three islands in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, namely the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa have become a bone contention between Iran and UAE.

 IRAN’S STAND

• Iran claims that the islands have been part of Persian states since the ancient past and it took control of the three islands after British forces withdrew in 1971.
• It considers them an “inseparable” part of its territory.
• Iran asserts that it has an agreement with Sharjah, one of the UAE’s seven emirates, which gives it the right to administer Abu Musa and station troops there.

UAE’S STAND

• The UAE asserts ownership of the disputed islands, with
• Ras al-Khaimah claiming Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and
• Sharjah claiming Abu Musa.