Iran issues ownership documents for three Gulf islands, reaffirming sovereignty

Iran has officially issued land demarcation and ownership documents for the Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb islands in the Persian Gulf, reaffirming its sovereignty over these territories.

According to the State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties, the documents have been registered under the name of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, underscoring the islands’ status as an integral part of Iranian territory, Caliber.Az reports per Iranian media.

Judicial authorities stated that the move is part of a broader national strategy aimed at protecting land resources and preventing unauthorised use or encroachment.

Officials noted that precise geometric maps and coordinates recorded in the national cadastre system “Shamim” were used to minimise the risk of misuse, illegal occupation, unauthorised land-use changes, or encroachment on national land.

Ownership rights for Greater Tunb, covering 10,832,250 square meters, have already been formally registered.

Documents for Lesser Tunb — covering 1,394,179 square meters — were issued in March 2023, while ownership papers for Abu Musa — covering 12,722,683 square meters — were issued in February 2021.

The initiative also aims to help resolve international disputes and push back against “false claims by foreign parties,” especially those concerning sovereignty over the three islands.

The Iranian government has declared November 30 as the National Day of Iran’s trio of islands.

Iran maintains that the Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs have historically belonged to the country, a view it says is supported by various historical, legal, and geographical records, though the United Arab Emirates disputes this claim and asserts its own sovereignty over the islands.

By Jeyhun Aghazada