It has also expressed support to all peaceful measures being taken by the UAE to regain its sovereignty over its occupied islands.

In a resolution issued on Wednesday, the Arab Foreign Ministers condemned Iranian government’s step to perpetuate occupation of the islands and violation of the UAE sovereignty in a way that destabilises regional and international peace and security.

They strongly criticised the recent actions of Iran, including construction of settlements for Iranian citizens on the UAE’s three islands and conducting military exercises covering the islands, the territorial waters, the airspace and the economic region belonging to the three islands.

They asked Iran to stop such violations and provocative actions which are considered an interference in the internal affairs of an independent, sovereign state. They noted that such actions will never promote mutual trust as they threaten peace and security in the region, and expose the safety of territorial and international navigation in the Arabian Gulf to danger.

The ministers also denounced Iran’s action of building two offices on the UAE’s Abu Musa Island, and asked Iran to immediately remove those illegal structures. They called upon Iran to end occupation of the UAE’s three islands, to refrain from attempting to impose a fait accompli situation and to remove all settlements, built on the islands with the aim of arbitrarily changing their demographic structure.

The Council expressed the hope that Iran will reconsider its stand on finding a peaceful solution to the issue of the UAE’s three occupied islands either by direct negotiations or by referring the issue to the International Court of Justice.

The Council called upon Iran to translate its desire to improve relations with Arab countries into sincere and solid action, and to respond to the calls of the UAE President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the GCC countries, the Arab countries, the international groups and the UN Secretary General to resolve the issue of occupied islands peacefully.

It also stressed the need for the Arab countries to highlight the issue of UAE’s three occupied islands, based on the fact that they are occupied Arab territories. —