TEHRAN, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Iran rejected Tuesday any attempt by Arab Gulf countries to challenge its sovereignty over three disputed Persian islands.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Asafi was responding to a call on Monday by the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Iran to return the islands of Abu Mousa and Greater and Smaller Tumb to the United Arab Emirates.
Asafi was quoted by the Iranian News Agency, IRNA, as warning the six-state GCC against interfering in the process of ongoing talks over the three islands between Iran and the UAE.
"Maintaining stability and security in the Gulf region and the continuation of cooperation between countries of the area is in the interests of all countries overlooking the Persian Gulf," Asafi said.
