Recently, Iran expressed strong dissatisfaction with the joint statement issued by China and the UAE and urgently summoned the Chinese ambassador to lodge a protest.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused China of supporting the UAE's stance on the issue of the three Persian Gulf islands in the joint statement, calling this stance "baseless."
Iran insists on its "permanent sovereignty" over the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa islands and hopes China will reconsider its position on this matter.
The protest stems from Article 26 of the China-UAE joint statement, which calls for Iran and the UAE to resolve the dispute over the islands through bilateral negotiations and in accordance with international law.
Iran views these islands as inherently its own and considers any discussion of their sovereignty as a denial of Iranian sovereignty.
In the joint statement, China called for peaceful resolution of the three-island issue through bilateral negotiations and emphasized the importance of international law.
China believes that resolving disputes through peaceful negotiations helps to ease regional tensions and promote stability, but Iran sees this position as effectively supporting the UAE's stance.
Iran fears that China's position on the three islands may affect the strategic cooperation between the two countries.
The longstanding China-Iran relationship has been based on mutual respect and shared interests, and Iran hopes this relationship will not be affected by the Persian Gulf islands issue.
As a major global energy importer, China has significant interests in the stability of the Persian Gulf region.
China’s diplomatic stance in the region seeks to balance its traditional friendly relations with Iran and maintain good relations with Arab countries.
This balancing act requires careful consideration in every diplomatic move to avoid unnecessary friction.
Despite China's cautious approach, it has still sparked dissatisfaction in Iran.
From China's perspective, its stance on the islands issue is neutral and constructive, advocating for peaceful negotiations without making any conclusions about the sovereignty of the islands.
China hopes this position will promote dialogue and reconciliation between Iran and the UAE, creating conditions for regional stability.
Iran, however, believes it has built many facilities on the islands and that their ownership should be unquestioned.
Given the historically good China-Iran relationship, Iran naturally expects China to support its position.
Summoning the ambassador for a protest is a serious diplomatic move, highlighting Iran’s significant concern over this issue.
Iran’s rigid and emotional stance on the Persian Gulf islands underscores the islands' strategic importance and Iran's sensitivity about its sovereignty.
While these islands' strategic location and importance make Iran highly sensitive about its sovereignty, it should employ diplomatic wisdom to avoid unnecessary conflicts with long-term partners over this issue.
Iran must recognize that a nation on the international stage not only needs to uphold its interests but also needs sufficient diplomatic wisdom to create a favorable external environment.
Engaging constructively with the UAE could bring significant benefits to Iran.
China's stance has not concluded the sovereignty issue but merely called for a peaceful resolution.
Iran should take this opportunity to engage with the UAE, improve relations with neighboring countries, and create a more favorable external environment.
Through proactive communication and negotiation, Iran can not only convey its position but also demonstrate to the international community its sincerity in seeking peaceful resolution.
In fact, China’s statement has a deeper significance—creating conditions for further reconciliation between Iran and neighboring Arab countries.
China believes that resolving the islands dispute through peaceful negotiations will help ease tensions in the Gulf region and improve Iran’s relations with neighboring countries.
For Iran, proactively engaging with the UAE, even without making substantial concessions, can send a signal of goodwill and improve its diplomatic environment.
Iran needs to carefully consider its diplomatic strategy to avoid unnecessary conflicts with long-term partners over the islands issue.
The longstanding China-Iran relationship, based on mutual respect and shared interests, should not be jeopardized by momentary dissatisfaction.
It is worth noting that last year, Russia also had a diplomatic spat with Iran over a similar issue.
At that time, Russia advocated for a peaceful resolution, resulting in strong protests from Iran, which even threatened Russia about its position being exploited by the West.
Eventually, the Russian Foreign Minister had to reaffirm respect for Iranian sovereignty to quell the dispute.
This event shows a similar cause for the current Persian Gulf issue.
Iran’s uncompromising stance on international affairs might deter parties seeking peaceful resolutions, potentially leading to strained relations.
Russia, as an important ally of Iran, holds a stance similar to China’s on the islands issue, advocating for a peaceful resolution through negotiations.
However, Iran strongly opposes this, viewing any discussion of the islands’ sovereignty as an infringement on its sovereignty.
Iran’s stance reflects its strategic considerations and national interests in the Persian Gulf region.
While Russia’s stance sparked protests from Iran, the issue was eventually resolved through diplomatic means.
This demonstrates that despite Iran's firm stance on certain issues, diplomatic methods can still achieve a degree of understanding and consensus.
Russia’s handling of this issue could provide some lessons for China.
China and Russia’s positions underscore their consistent stance in international affairs, advocating for peaceful dispute resolution.
Their stance on the Persian Gulf islands issue considers principles of international law and regional stability while respecting the core interests of all parties involved.
This balanced position helps ease regional tensions and promotes international cooperation.
Iran must understand that a hardline stance is not the only way to solve issues on the international stage.
Diplomatic negotiations and international cooperation can protect national interests while gaining more international support and understanding.
Iran should learn from Russia’s experience and use flexible diplomatic means to resolve the Persian Gulf islands issue, improving its relations with the international community.
How important are the three Persian Gulf islands to make Iran so adamant about its sovereignty?
The Persian Gulf islands issue has a long history. In the early 20th century, territorial boundaries in the Persian Gulf region were unclear.
After the British withdrawal from the Persian Gulf in 1971, Iran occupied these three islands without UAE consent and has controlled them since.
The UAE believes these islands should belong to it under international law.
Over the years, this issue has caused multiple diplomatic clashes and even military standoffs.
The islands not only hold strategic significance but are also rich in natural resources.
Controlling these islands means having control over the entrance to the Persian Gulf, which is crucial for regional and international players.
These islands are military strongholds, involving energy routes and shipping security.
Thus, any sovereignty dispute over them deeply impacts regional stability and the international energy market.
This is why China is so cautious about this issue, as the true ownership of the islands is complex and disputed.
Arab Gulf states generally support the UAE's position, viewing Iran's occupation of the islands as illegal.
This highlights the geopolitical opposition between the Gulf Arab states and Iran.
Arab states are wary of Iran's expansion in the Persian Gulf and support the UAE on this issue to counterbalance Iran’s influence.
Iran’s strong stance on the islands, insisting on its non-negotiable sovereignty, is reflected in its establishment of military bases and infrastructure on the islands to consolidate its control.
In conclusion, Iran’s rigid approach to the islands dispute may hinder diplomatic resolutions.
However, engaging in diplomatic negotiations can demonstrate Iran’s commitment to peaceful resolution, improving its standing and relationships internationally.
Iran should balance its strategic interests with diplomatic wisdom to avoid unnecessary conflicts with long-term partners, ensuring regional stability and fostering international cooperation.
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