Gulf News reports that Saudi Arabia is concerned about Iranian expansionism as demonstrated in the Iranian reply to the GCC’s call for the return of three islands in the Gulf to the UAE. Abu Mousa and the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands have been a friction point between Iran and the Emirates ever since the Iranian revolution—a working solution to the issue had been established under the Shah. Things have heated up since Iran moved to put military outposts on the islands a few weeks ago.

Saudi analysts slam Iranian expansionism
Miriam Al-Hakeem

Riyadh: Saudi parliamentarians and political analysts have come down heavily on the tone and tenor of the Iranian response to a GCC call for returning the the three occupied UAE islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa to UAE sovereignty.

Speaking to Gulf News, parliamentarians and analysts said the Iranian assertion that the islands were an integral part of its territory reflected its hegemonic ambitions given the strategic and military value of the three islands.

Dr Mohammad Al Zulfa, member of the Saudi Shura Council, said Iran always sought to project itself as furthering the Arab cause when everybody knew it only meant to exploit any weaknesses in the region.

“All the time, it [Iran] is endeavouring to extend its hegemonic hold over the three UAE islands though it is not in need of more territory. It wants to continue its occupation of the three islands in view of the strategic advantage they offer vis-a-vis control of international navigation routes and the flow of oil to international markets in case it faces a military attack”, he said.
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