A long-running territorial dispute between Iran and Gulf states over three small islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—is once again drawing attention amid rising regional tensions.
The islands, located near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, are currently controlled by Iran but claimed by the United Arab Emirates. Despite their small size, they sit along one of the most important النفط shipping routes in the world, making them strategically critical.
The roots of the dispute go back to 1971, when Iran seized control of the islands as British forces withdrew from the region. While a limited arrangement was reached over Abu Musa with the emirate of Sharjah, Iran took full control of the Tunb islands. Days later, the UAE was established and inherited the territorial claim.
Since then, the dispute has remained unresolved. Iran maintains full control and considers the islands an inseparable part of its territory, while the UAE continues to call for negotiations or international arbitration.
