China Once Again Supports UAE's Claim to Three Iranian Islands

As the Islamic Republic continues its 'Look to the East' policy and claims a close friendship with China, Beijing has once again issued a statement supporting the UAE's territorial claims regarding the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, domestic media have reported that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese ambassador in Tehran to protest this issue. Iranian state news agencies reported that Iran's protest to the Chinese ambassador was made due to 'the repeated support of the Chinese government for the baseless claims stated in paragraph 26 of the final statement of the joint meeting between the People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates.' This is not the first time that China, which buys sanctioned Iranian oil at a high discount, has supported the UAE's claim to the three islands in the Persian Gulf. Over the past two years, both Russia and China have supported similar claims by the UAE. The release of a joint statement by China and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries regarding the three Iranian islands has sparked outrage among Iranian social media users. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who was the Iranian Foreign Minister at the time, tweeted in Persian: 'The three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf are inseparable parts of the pure soil of Iran and belong eternally to this homeland.' Amir-Abdollahian added, 'We have no qualms about respecting Iran's territorial integrity with any party.' Government-affiliated media and those close to Ali Khamenei, as well as social media figures supporting the Islamic Republic's policies, have tried to downplay China's and Russia's positions on this matter. However, some media outlets, such as the 'Jomhouri Eslami' newspaper, described China's stance as 'anti-Iranian' and criticized the lack of response from President Ebrahim Raisi's government. Following China's statement, Russia, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, called for a resolution to the dispute over the ownership of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa on July 9, 2023. Iran asserts that its territorial integrity is not a matter for negotiation. Russia itself has waged a full-scale war against its neighbor to seize Ukrainian territory and has received suicide drones from the Islamic Republic. In July 2023, the 'Jomhouri Eslami' newspaper referred to Russia as 'the ultimate coward' and noted that Iranians still bear 'the marks of Russian teeth in Golestan and Turkmenchai.' China has been one of the largest trading partners of the Islamic Republic over the past decade, purchasing sanctioned Iranian oil at a discount. Iranian news agencies reported on Sunday, June 3, that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized 'the eternal belonging of the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf to the Islamic Republic of Iran' and reminded China of the 'strategic' and 'special and distinguished' relations between Iran and China, urging the Chinese government to correct its recent position. According to Reuters, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that China and the UAE emphasized their readiness to exchange experiences in defense and security to enhance the capabilities of military personnel and security institutions in both countries. China stated that both sides appreciate defense, military, and security cooperation and coordination, increased military visits between the two countries' armies, and mutual participation in training, exhibitions, and official activities. These topics were announced in a joint statement following the bilateral meeting between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and Xi Jinping, President of China, in Beijing. The Chinese armed forces held their first air force exercise with the UAE in China last August, an action widely regarded as an effort by China to increase its influence in the Persian Gulf to counter the United States. Last year, China also signed a contract for the export of attack aircraft to the UAE. Regarding energy, both countries agreed to explore cooperation in crude oil reserves to encourage and support Chinese and Emirati companies to strengthen coordination in renewable energy, oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, strategic oil storage, hydrogen, and ammonia. Both countries are also considering joint nuclear energy projects, including the construction of nuclear power plants and further research and development in this area. The leader of the Islamic Republic has turned towards Russia and China while continuing his hostility towards the West, exporting discounted Iranian oil to Beijing, even as these countries have taken positions against Iran's integrity.