One Day After the 'Summoning' of the Chinese Ambassador in Tehran, Beijing Stands Firm on Its Position Regarding Iran's Three Islands

One day after the Iranian Foreign Ministry claimed that the Chinese ambassador was summoned in protest against China's support for the UAE's claim of ownership over the three islands in the Persian Gulf, Beijing reiterated its stance on Monday that Iran should engage in dialogue with the United Arab Emirates regarding its territorial integrity related to the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. The UAE claims ownership over the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. Iran has had sovereignty over these islands since before the formation of the UAE as a country. Recently, China issued a statement supporting the UAE's efforts to achieve a 'peaceful solution' regarding the islands - Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. The Islamic Republic announced on Sunday, June 3, after summoning the Chinese ambassador to the Foreign Ministry, that it requested Beijing to correct its position. China has taken this stance while importing sanctioned Iranian oil at a significantly discounted price and claims ownership of Taiwan, even threatening military action if necessary to forcibly reclaim control over it. Taiwan has previously referred to Beijing's claims over it as 'wishful thinking.' According to Reuters, Mao Ning, on Monday, June 4, in a press conference responding to a question about Iran's protest, stated: 'The relevant content of the joint statement between China and the UAE is consistent with China's position.' She also mentioned that China and the Islamic Republic have strong relations and that China places great importance on developing its strategic partnership. In December 2022, China also issued a joint statement with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries calling for efforts to resolve the issue of the three islands, which angered Iran. Amid the continuation of the Islamic Republic's 'Look to the East' policy and its claim of close friendship with China, some experts say that the Islamic Republic is subject to China's opinions. Ali Khamenei is among those who have insisted on increasing relations with China. Iranian news agencies reported on Sunday, June 3, that with the 'reiteration of the Chinese government's support for the baseless claims mentioned in paragraph 26 of the final statement of the joint meeting of the People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates,' Iran's government expressed its protest to the Chinese ambassador. Iranian news agencies reported on Sunday, June 3, that the Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized 'the eternal belonging of the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf to the Islamic Republic of Iran' and, recalling the 'strategic' and 'special and exceptional' relations between Iran and China, requested that the Chinese government correct its recent position. Over the past two years, both Russia and China have supported similar claims by the UAE. Government media and those close to Ali Khamenei, as well as active figures on social media who support the policies of the Islamic Republic, have tried to pay less attention to these positions of China and Russia and somewhat forget them. Iran states that its territorial integrity is not a matter for discussion or bargaining. Russia itself has waged a full-scale war against its neighbor to seize Ukrainian territory and has received suicide drones from the Islamic Republic. According to Reuters, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that China and the UAE emphasized their readiness to exchange experiences in defense and security to enhance the capacities of military personnel and security institutions in both countries. China stated that both sides appreciate defense, military, and security cooperation and coordination, increasing military visits between the two countries' armies, as well as 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, the President of the United Arab Emirates, and Xi Jinping, the President of China, in Beijing.