Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Tehran on Tuesday, issuing a formal protest over what it described as “interventionist language” in a joint Cyprus–UAE statement concerning Iran’s territorial integrity.
The joint communiqué followed Monday’s meeting between the presidents of Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates in Nicosia. In the text, Cyprus reaffirmed its support for the UAE’s sovereignty over the disputed islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. The two leaders also echoed previous EU–GCC statements from 2024 and 2025, which called on Iran to end its occupation of the islands in line with the UN Charter. They further expressed support for resolving the dispute through bilateral negotiations or referral to the International Court of Justice.
In Tehran, Assistant Foreign Minister and Director General for the Persian Gulf, Mohammad Alibeik, met Ambassador Petros Nakouzis to convey Iran’s objections and delivered a diplomatic note. Alibeik stated that the three islands form an integral part of Iranian territory and cited what he called Iran’s “historic and indisputable” sovereignty over them. He condemned any challenge to that sovereignty as a violation of the core international principle of respect for territorial integrity.
He also reminded Nicosia that Iran does not interfere in the sovereign or territorial issues of other countries, including Cyprus, and called on the Cypriot government to take immediate steps to “correct this serious mistake” and avoid similar actions in future.
Source: euronews.com