UAE Condemns Iran’s Ongoing Occupation of Three Islands

GULF SUMMIT 2025 - Manama, Bahrain – The Supreme Council has strongly reaffirmed its condemnation of Iran’s continued occupation of the three islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. The Council reiterated that the UAE has full sovereignty over the islands, including their territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones.

The Council stressed that any actions or decisions by Iran regarding the islands are considered null and void and called on Iran to engage in direct negotiations or refer the issue to the International Court of Justice.

The Council also criticized Iran’s recent actions, including the construction of housing units on the occupied islands, and official Iranian statements declaring the islands as part of Iranian territory. It condemned escalatory military exercises conducted by Iran in the area, including operations carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in May 2025.

Repeated visits by senior Iranian officials to the occupied islands, including inspections by naval and land forces, were also strongly denounced by the Council as violations of UAE sovereignty.

The Supreme Council expressed dismay at all hostile measures and statements by Iran, urging it to take constructive steps toward a peaceful resolution. The Council welcomed the European Union’s support for the UAE, as reaffirmed in recent GCC–EU statements.

Al Durra Field:

The Supreme Council also addressed the Al Durra oil and gas field, confirming that it lies entirely within Kuwaiti waters and that only Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have rights to its resources under international law. Any claims by other parties are categorically rejected.