ABU DHABI - The United Arab Emirates criticized on Monday a visit by Iran's Shura Council delegation to three occupied UAE Islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa,

near the Strait of Hormuz.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "This is a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its territory. It undermines all efforts to find a peaceful solution to this issue through bilateral negotiations or through recourse to the International Court of Justice".

The Ministry noted that the visits of Iranian lawmakers to the UAE occupied islands from time to time do not change the historical and legal facts on the ground, or deny the existing facts that the Islands are occupied by Iran.

"The UAE has historical relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is keen on strengthening the relations through removing all impediments", the statement said, noting that the continued occupation of the three UAE islands by Iran would affect the security and stability needed in the region.

The statement underlines the fact that the UAE repeats its calls on the Iranian government to cease continuous provocative violations and uncalled for tension by resorting to settlement of the conflict through international law mechanisms, so as to pave way for better relations in the region.

About 40 percent of the world's seaborne oil exports flow through Hormuz. Iran threatened last year to block the Strait as tensions rose with the West over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.

There was no immediate official comment from Iran.

But a report on an Iranian website calling itself the Young Journalists Club said that a delegation of Iranian parliamentarians made a one-day visit to the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Sirri on April 25.

Sirri is not claimed by the UAE. Iran says its sovereignty over the Gulf islands it holds is not negotiable but has called for talks with the UAE to clear up "misunderstandings". A senior UAE foreign ministry official met Iran's UAE ambassador to discussed "important issues of mutual concern", WAM said.