The Islamic Republic condemned Canada and Britain for their actions, calling them “unprofessional” and a poor excuse for policy. But the rhetoric turned 180 degrees when the issue was relations with the UAE.
Iran warned it would consider cutting diplomatic ties if the federation pressed its claim to three disputed islands—a dispute that goes back four decades without ever before prompting Iran to propose such drastic action.
Analysts asked why Iran was raising the drama when there were no new developments over the island dispute. Some suggested the government was trying to turn public focus on a nationalist issue in an effort to distract the public from the economic turmoil in Iran.
The three islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs sit near the shipping channels through the Strait of Hormuz and were claimed by the Shah in 1971, just before the seven Persian Gulf emirates won independence from Britain and federated in the UAE.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said Tuesday Iran would consider downgrading ties with the UAE if it continued to make those lomg-standing claims.
“If the baseless anti-Iranian claims reach a point where national interests lie in lessening or cutting off political relations, this step will be taken with consultation and based on expert analysis,” Mehman-Parast was quoted as saying by the Majlis news agency, Icana.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran stands firm in defense of its territorial integrity,” he said.
Last month, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed an-Nahayan said Iran’s “occupation” of the three islands was against international law. But that was nothing new. The UAE has always said that.
“We hope the Iranian government will deal with this sensitive and important issue in a positive and just manner,” he said while visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Again, that was standard UAE rhetoric. There were no new developments on the islands issue that would seem to warrant the new threat from Tehran.
The 41-year-old dispute was inflamed in April when President Ahmadi-nejad visited Abu Musa, the first time an Iranian president had gone to the island. In response, the UAE recalled its ambassador from Tehran for consultations, calling the visit a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty. But he long ago returned to his post in Tehran.