The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Foreign Minister's statements, which compare Iran with Israel over the issue of the three islands in the Persian Gulf, are incorrect and unfounded, Iranian Foreign Minister Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted as saying by Mehr.
Mehmanparast expressed Iran's official position on the statements by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who said that "there is no difference between Iran and Israel, in the issue of occupation of Arab territories." Nahyan said Israel occupied the Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, and Iran has occupied three islands in the Persian Gulf - Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, which, according to Arab countries, are part of the UAE.
Nahyan said the Emirates see no difference in the occupation of Arab lands by Israel and Iran, as this is illegal and contrary to Islamic principles. He added that, taking an uncompromising stance in the contentious issue around the three islands, Iran refuses any initiatives of Emirates made to solve the problem through direct negotiations or international court.
Mehmanparast refuted these allegations, adding that Tehran has always sought to establish cooperation in the Islamic world against possible threats in the region, alluding to Israel's policies.
"Misunderstanding between friends can be resolved through negotiations. I would advise the Emirates officials not to make statements that play into the hands of Israel," he said.
Based on the agreement 1971, the Islands Greater and Lesser Tunbs near the strategic Hormuz Strait belong to the Iranian territory in the Persian Gulf, and Tehran and Abu Dhabi should implement the control of Abu Musa together. However, the UAE, with the support of most Arab countries refuse to accept this agreement and declare the origin of these islands to the Arab territories.
Despite the territorial dispute, the countries have strong economic ties. UAE is the largest trading partner of Iran in the Persian Gulf. According to the Arab media, about 400,000 Iranians reside in the UAE.