Russia's Foreign Ministry Responds to Iranian Protest Note

Iran has requested the Russian ambassador’s interim chargé d'affaires to convey Tehran’s position to Moscow regarding the disputed islands with the United Arab Emirates, in a meeting that took place in a "friendly atmosphere". This was reported to RBC by the Russian diplomatic mission.

"The main outcome is the confirmation of deep, multilateral relations between our countries. Today, a landmark free trade agreement between the EAEU and Iran is set to be signed. Before this, we will inaugurate a monument to the great poet Rasul Gamzatov in Tehran. At this moment, discussions are ongoing between Secretary of State and Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Alexey Serkov and their Iranian counterparts, who are very interested in cooperating with us and receiving specialized support. There are many projects," the Russian diplomatic mission reported.

Yesterday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the interim chargé d'affaires at the Russian Embassy due to the Russian representative’s statement regarding the disputed islands in the Persian Gulf. The diplomat was handed a protest note concerning the joint communiqué of the participants of the 6th Russia-Arab Cooperation Forum, in which Moscow joined calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between the UAE and Iran regarding the islands.

The matter concerns three islands: Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, which are located in a strategically significant region of the Persian Gulf. Their ownership is disputed by the authorities of the UAE and Iran. The countries have been contesting the ownership of these territories since 1971, when London transferred them to Tehran.