©Institute for Political and International Studies The three Islands: (Abu Musa, the Greater & Lesser Tunb Islands) Integral parts of Iran*

Abstract: In addition to its many aspects of importance, the Persian Gulf surmounts the world regions in terms of territorial and border disputes, national tensions as well as border conflicts and struggles. Almost all Persian Gulf states, especially the Arab Sheikhdoms have sort of territorial and border disputes among themselves that stem from their expansionist objectives. In a bid to cover up their own differences, the Arab states of the region have constantly been attempting to exaggerate Iran’s border disputes with its neighbors. The issue over Iran’s triple islands is one example of such, in which the Persian Gulf littoral states accuse Iran of pursuing expansionist policy. Iran maintains that there is no dispute but repeated baseless claims by United Arab Emirates (UAE) over Iranian islands. Based on historical facts these islands had always been part of Iranian territory until the Britain colonialist presence in the Persian Gulf by which these islands were occupied. The pretext for occupation of the islands included punishment of pirates, preventing slavery, security and safeguarding of The Editor expresses his gratitude to "Political & Economic Ettela'at bimonthly " for their kindly contribution to this edition of IJIA † Ahmad Jalinusi is member of faculty and political science group