From the rostrum of the United Nations General Assembly, the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) renewed his country’s demand for the restoration of sovereignty over three islands in the Persian Gulf region.

“My Government expresses, once again, its regret regarding the continued Iranian occupation of our three islands – Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and demands the restoration of the UAE’s full sovereignty over these islands,” Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan told the Assembly’s high-level debate.

He emphasized that all actions and measures taken by the “Iranian occupation authorities” are null and void, and are contrary to international law and to all norms and common human values.

“We, therefore, call upon the international community to urge Iran to respond to the repeated peaceful, sincere calls of the United Arab Emirates for a just settlement of this issue, either through direct, serious negotiations or by referral to the International Court of Justice,” he stated.

Responding to the statement by the UAE at the conclusion of today’s session of the Debate, Iran’s representative reiterated his country’s full sovereignty over the islands and categorically rejected any claims to the contrary.