Iran has summoned Hungary’s ambassador, whose country holds the rotating European Union presidency, to formally protest a joint EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) statement regarding the disputed islands controlled by Iran but claimed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to state media on Sunday.
The controversy arose after a statement was issued following the inaugural summit between the EU and GCC on Wednesday. The statement urged Iran to “end its occupation” of the three islands—Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa—which the UAE asserts as its sovereign territory. The document also highlighted that Iran’s control over the islands, near the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, allegedly violates UAE sovereignty and United Nations principles.
Iran has administered these islands since 1971, following the end of British rule, which initially governed the territory.
According to Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, the Hungarian ambassador was summoned to Iran’s foreign ministry. Iranian officials expressed their disapproval of “certain baseless claims” within the EU-GCC declaration. The foreign ministry described the EU’s stance as “thoughtless, irresponsible, and lacking legal foundation,” IRNA reported.
Beyond this dispute, the European Union recently accused Iran of supplying missiles and drones to Russia, allegedly used in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. In response, the EU imposed new sanctions on Iran on Monday.
Despite these tensions, diplomatic relations between Iran and Gulf Arab states have seen recent improvements. In April 2023, Iran appointed an ambassador to the UAE, resuming diplomatic representation for the first time in nearly eight years.
