Travel to Abu Musa Island Without Permit Allowed for Iranian Citizens

The governor of Abu Musa County announced the issuance of travel permits for Iranian citizens to Abu Musa Island. Morteza Ehtesham stated on Wednesday, December 5, referring to the emphasis of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, on the need to populate the three islands of Iran in the Persian Gulf, that planning for the development of tourism in the county is on the agenda of officials. Until now, citizens of Iran and other countries needed a local sponsor or a permit from the governor's office to travel to Abu Musa. ISNA news agency reports that now, 'with the follow-up of the Islands Development Headquarters and the Hormozgan Governorate,' these conditions have been lifted and travel to this island is now allowed. Mr. Ehtesham further noted the increase in the number of flights from Bandar Abbas to Abu Musa Island and the establishment of daily air traffic to the island, stating that a passenger vessel has been prepared for the maritime transportation of Iranian citizens between Bandar Abbas and Abu Musa Island. The governor also emphasized the necessity of providing the necessary infrastructure to accommodate tourists, equipping accommodation facilities, and training individuals as tourist guides. Earlier, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, criticized the European Union's support for the UAE's position on the three islands and stated, 'We urge the government to expedite the implementation of Article 61 of the Seventh Development Plan for the development of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb.' Following Qalibaf's remarks, Ali Khazarian, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament, announced the visit of commission members to Abu Musa Island and the groundbreaking for the construction of 110 residential units there. Farzaneh Sadegh, the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, also mentioned on November 6 that the execution of the construction of 110 residential units as part of the National Housing Movement plan for Abu Musa aims to increase the population on this island. The announcement of these actions comes at a time when officials of the Islamic Republic have long spoken about the 'necessity' of creating infrastructure on the three islands, yet this issue has repeatedly been forgotten, and throughout these decades, Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb have remained in a state of deprivation. The United Arab Emirates has long claimed ownership of these three islands of Iran in the Persian Gulf, and several Arab countries, especially during periods of heightened political tension with the Islamic Republic, have supported this claim. In recent years, China, Russia, and the European Union have also joined the supporters of the UAE's position, which has provoked a strong reaction from Iran. Abu Musa County, or 'Boumousi,' includes the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, Siri, Farur Greater, and Farur Lesser.