Iran Rejects Arab League Claims, Reaffirms Sovereignty Over Persian Gulf Islands

TEHRAN — Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday firmly rejected accusations leveled by the Arab League regarding regional stability and reiterated its absolute sovereignty over three disputed islands in the Persian Gulf. The statement, issued from Tehran, marked a sharp escalation in diplomatic rhetoric as tensions simmer across the Middle East.

In a comprehensive address, Iranian officials dismissed the Arab League's recent allegations as unfounded, characterizing them as politically motivated attempts to distract from broader security failures. Instead of accepting the accusations, the ministry shifted the narrative, attributing the current climate of regional insecurity directly to what it termed "aggression" by the United States and Israel. The ministry argued that external military interventions and support for destabilizing forces are the primary drivers of conflict in the area, rather than internal disputes among Arab states.

Central to the ministry's declaration was a renewed emphasis on territorial integrity. Iran explicitly reaffirmed its claim over Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb, islands currently under the administration of the United Arab Emirates but historically claimed by Tehran. The Foreign Ministry stated that these territories are an inseparable part of Iranian national soil, warning against any attempts to question their status through international forums or diplomatic pressure.

The statement also addressed the ongoing crisis in Yemen, where Iran has long supported Houthi forces. Tehran called for the immediate restoration of Yemen's unity and sovereignty, framing the country's fragmentation as a result of foreign interference. The ministry urged all regional actors to cease backing factions that prolong the conflict, suggesting that a unified Yemen is essential for stabilizing the southern Red Sea and the wider Arabian Peninsula.

The Arab League has not yet issued a formal response to Iran's specific rebuttal, though previous communications from the organization have cited concerns over Iranian influence in the Gulf and its support for non-state actors. The dispute over the three islands remains a longstanding point of friction between Iran and several Gulf Cooperation Council members, with no diplomatic resolution in sight.

As diplomatic exchanges continue, questions remain regarding how the United States and Israel will respond to Iran's direct attribution of regional instability to their policies. Furthermore, the international community is watching closely to see if the Arab League will escalate its rhetoric or seek a mediated dialogue to address the overlapping issues of territorial disputes and Yemeni sovereignty. The situation in the Persian Gulf remains volatile, with both sides maintaining firm positions that appear difficult to reconcile in the near term.