Moscow Urged to Respect Tehran’s Red Lines

Iran’s parliament speaker called on neighboring Russia to respect the Iranian nation’s red lines, including the country’s territorial integrity and continued sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf islands. 
“We would not compromise with any party on this matter,” Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said at the beginning of an open parliamentary session on Sunday, ICANA reported. 
He made the remarks in reaction to a recent joint statement by the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council and Russia last week that challenged Iran’s sovereignty over the three islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.
Qalibaf said the Iranian parliament “strongly rejects” the joint statement. 
Citing authentic historical documents that prove Iran’s possession of the islands, he stressed that political statements would not distort historical facts. 
“We announce to Iran’s neighbors, including Russia, that preserving stability and economic development of the region is only possible on the basis of observing the principles of good neighborliness, which include respect to our country’s territorial integrity,” he said. 
Qalibaf said Russia, which is itself a victim of the West’s geopolitical expansionism and is fighting against it, should not contribute to their plans for destabilizing the Persian Gulf, especially given that Iran is the only guarantor of stability and neutralizer of their dangerous plots in this sensitive region. 
“Iran’s authority in these three islands is a guarantor of Persian Gulf stability in face of the United States’ hegemony.” 
The parliament speaker pointed to Tehran-Moscow extensive collaborations based on common interests, reminding the Russian neighbors that the path of cooperation goes through respect to the Iranians’ red lines, including territorial integrity and continued sovereignty over the three islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.
The Iranian nation expects Moscow to demonstrate its economic and strategic partnership with Tehran in its political and media positions as well, which could enhance mutual trust, according to Qalibaf. 

Integral Part

Despite countless documents proving Iran’s sovereignty over the three islands, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to them. 
In their joint statement, foreign ministers of the GCC member states and Russia said the issue should be settled through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry had earlier summoned the Russian ambassador on Wednesday to protest the contents of a joint statement. 
Alireza Enayati, director general of the Persian Gulf affairs section of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, reaffirmed that the three islands are an integral part of Iran, calling on Russia to revise its stance vis-à-vis the issue.
The Russian diplomat promised to convey Tehran’s protest to his country as soon as possible.
Legal aide to Iran’s president, Mohammad Dehqan, also stressed that Iran would not negotiate over three islands. 
“Examining all past documents shows that these islands belong to Iran and cannot be disputed,” he said. 
On Friday, Iranian Ambassador in Moscow Kazem Jalali discussed the recent statement with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. 
“During the talks, the parties discussed topical issues of further enhancing coordination of general approaches of Moscow and Tehran on the Middle East issues of mutual interest, including taking into account the outcomes of the sixth joint ministerial meeting of the Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Iranian Embassy in Moscow said that during the meeting, the Russian side expressed its respect for Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and emphasized the friendly character of bilateral relations.