Abu Musa and the Lesser and Greater Tunbs.. Emirati islands controlled by Iran 50 years ago
Amman Today
publish date 2021-11-30 10:19:10
After both Iran and the UAE recently expressed their intention to open a “new page” in their relations and strengthen the foundations of cooperation and partnership, and thus reduce the tension that has characterized the relationship between the two countries for years, some complex problems are surfacing, which the two sides were unable to, after about 50 years of finding a radical solution to it, and its solution, during negotiation and dialogue, has also eluded various international and international parties.
The file of Iran’s acquisition of the three islands, which the UAE says are part of its territory, is one of the most complex of these files, which may be a stumbling block in the way of any progress at the level of relations between the two countries.
How did Iran control the islands?
Following Britain’s announcement of the start of withdrawal from the Persian Gulf in 1968, Iran tried to seize the opportunity to expand its influence in the region in the absence of a deterrent or real security force to match it, according to experts and analysts.
Not a short period of time passed on that, until the Iranian Navy announced on November 30, 1972 its control over the islands of “Greater Tunb”, “Little Tunb” and “Abu Musa” located in the Strait of Hormuz, days after the British forces left them and only two days before From the UAE’s declaration of independence.
Thus, Iran’s continuous attempts at the beginning and middle of the last century to control these islands were crowned with success.
Historical sources indicate that the announcement of control came after the memorandum of understanding ceremony signed in the presence of a representative of Britain and the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah at the time, Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad bin Saqr Al Qasimi.
The agreement stipulates the “sharing of sovereignty over Abu Musa Island, with the northern part of Iran and the southern part of Sharjah, and the sharing of its oil revenues.” Since then, Tehran has deployed its military forces in half of the island of Abu Musa, according to the memorandum, and in return it has extended its control over the entire islands of the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, after it stormed them with its military forces and caused the death of dozens of civilians and the displacement of about 200 families.
Between a supporter of what came in the agreement and an opponent of what was considered acquiescence to the Iranian threat and an abandonment of the land, positions varied and public opinion was deeply divided.
As for the sharing of sovereignty on Abu Musa Island, it lasted until 1992, after which Iranian forces installed anti-ship missiles and expanded their military presence, preventing entry to it without an Iranian permit or visa.
Since the establishment of the UAE on December 2, 1972, the issue of the three islands has been considered a national issue, and the UAE has expressed, at every opportunity, its constant insistence on recovering what it considered its right, and in that it seeks to settle the dispute with Iran.
On the other hand, Iran has been expanding its presence and strategic exploitation of the three islands and the development of its influence there, unresponsive to Emirati threats and international mediation efforts.
It established an airport on the island of “Abu Musa”, and opened an Iranian municipality on the island. By 2012, it announced the establishment of a new governorate called the “Persian Gulf” and made the island of “Abu Musa” its capital. Several naval and air military maneuvers have been carried out in the waters of these islands.
The strategic importance of the three islands
Experts and analysts believe that the two countries’ dispute over the three islands lies mainly in their strategic importance, as despite their small size, they are located in safe lanes for maritime navigation. It also overlooks the Strait of Hormuz, which is the artery of global oil production, and links the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf, which is the main crossing to the Indian Ocean.
Thanks to the depth of its waters, military experts consider it the most important shelter for submarines, and the most suitable place for setting up military installations and carrying out military tasks such as maneuvering and surveillance.
In addition to their geographical importance, the three islands, as confirmed by many sources, are rich in petroleum, red iron oxide, iron sulfate, and sulfur. In addition to the discovery of oil in the waters of Abu Musa Island in 1972.
These reasons are sufficient to keep these islands at the center of a permanent dispute between the two countries that have geostrategic ambitions in the region. The Arab Gulf countries’ fear of the expansion of Iranian influence in the region due to Tehran’s control of the three islands is one of the main drivers of the UAE position.
For its part, and as an expression of its adherence to its position, the Iranian permanent mission to the United Nations announced earlier, commenting on the Emirati statements regarding this file, that “the three islands are inseparable areas from Iranian territory and any claim to them is strongly rejected.”
The same position was confirmed by Major General Muhammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, in a previous media statement, saying: “Abu Musa Island is the beating heart of Iran in the Gulf waters, and we will defend it and continue to strengthen our military forces there.”
Abu Musa Island is located about 43 km from the coast of the Emirates, and 67 km from the Iranian coast in the center of the country.
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Source : ألدستور