Tehran: Iran has strongly rejected the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council’s (PGCC) ‘unfounded’ and ‘meddlesome’ claims over the three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement on Tuesday that the islands are ‘an inseparable part of Iranian territory’ and condemned the final statement of the PGCC’s 64th foreign ministers’ meeting for repeating their baseless claims.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei stated, ‘We expect the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council to adopt a more constructive approach based on the commonalities of regional nations rather than making baseless claims against Iran’s territorial integrity.’ He also dismissed references in the PGCC statement to Iranian decisions and actions concerning the islands, saying that the Islamic Republic considers such remarks ‘interference in its sovereign affairs.’

Baqaei emphasized that any measures taken by Iran in these islands, including visits by civilian or military officials and holding military drills, are entirely consistent with Iran’s sovereign rights. He further asserted that the repeated claims by PGCC members ignore historical and geographical facts.

‘These statements have no impact on Iran’s effective and absolute sovereignty over the three islands,’ Baqaei added, noting that such positions are ‘contrary to international law principles of respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.’

On the Arash gas field, Baqaei reiterated Iran’s commitment to ‘constructive cooperation’ with Kuwait and stressed that ‘joint utilization of hydrocarbon resources’ based on mutual interest can promote stronger regional ties.