Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei strongly rejected the UAE's claims over the three Gulf islands, labeling them an absurd dispute fabricated against millennia of documented Iranian governance. In a post on X, Baqaei pointed directly to Canada's prime minister for intervening on the side of the UAE. He argued that Canada should respect territorial integrity abroad, citing historical pressures Ottawa faced from the United States including the War of 1812 and modern remarks about annexation.
Key points
Tehran firmly rejects UAE claims over Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb as an unfou…: Tehran firmly rejects UAE claims over Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb as an unfounded territorial challenge.
Iran has leveraged Canada's own historical border disputes with the United States to ques…: Iran has leveraged Canada's own historical border disputes with the United States to question Ottawa's diplomatic consistency.
Canadian alignment with the UAE on Gulf island sovereignty has triggered sharp diplomatic…: Canadian alignment with the UAE on Gulf island sovereignty has triggered sharp diplomatic condemnation from Iranian foreign ministry officials.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has criticised Canada's support for the United Arab Emirates' claim to three Gulf islands, questioning Ottawa's commitment to territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
In a post on X, Baqaei said the UAE, established in 1971, was laying claim to Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb despite "historical records and geographical and documented evidence establishing their Iranian ownership".
He said the islands had been part of Iran for millennia, long before the UAE federation was established, and criticised Canada's prime minister for echoing what he called an “absurd claim”.
Baqaei invoked Canada's own history of defending its sovereignty, citing the American invasion during the War of 1812, the Montreal Annexation Manifesto of 1849 and US President Donald Trump's repeated remarks about making Canada the 51st US state.
“How can it take sides in a fabricated dispute and endorse an unfounded territorial claim that amounts to dangerous adventurism?” he said.
The UAE was established in 1971. Yet, despite the overwhelming historical record، geographical facts and documented evidence concerning Abu Musa and the Greater…
Prominent human rights attorney Michael Sfard challenged common perceptions by arguing that attacks by settlers operate as a fully coordinated, state-supported apparatus. Rather than functioning as a neutral party trying to maintain order, the military and government directly enable these groups through material backing. This systematic relationship ultimately drives the ongoing, daily displacement of Palestinian communities.
Federal officials are relying on transit through Islamabad because Washington maintains no diplomatic relations with the ruling Taliban regime. The decision underscores a broader policy shift that halts admissions for those who fled following the 2021 military withdrawal, prioritizing immigration enforcement regardless of the potential consequences facing deportees. Human rights advocates fear that those transferred now face severe threats of retaliation upon return.
Negotiators are attempting to defuse a seven-month conflict through a phased diplomatic framework that links vital shipping corridor access to nuclear concessions and economic relief. A Qatari delegation delivered an American diplomatic pathway directly to Tehran to avert further military strikes, with proposed direct talks slated for Doha. However, substantial friction remains over verification terms, sanctions relief, and the timeline for ending hostilities.