By IINA,
Abu Dhabi : Iraq has expressed its support for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s claim over three Persian Gulf islands under Iranian control, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
In a communication to the UAE’s foreign ministry, the Iraqi government reiterated its support for the Arab federation’s sovereignty claim over the three islands – Tanb Al Kubra, Tanb Al Sugra and Abu Moosa.
The strategically vital islands are the hub of oil reserves, which fuel the economies of both Iran and the UAE. In addition, the islands are located in the Strait of Hormuz, the mouth of the Persian Gulf. This strategic position could allow a country to influence the Gulf’s valuable shipping lane, or even to close off the Gulf all together.
The memorandum said Baghdad would support the UAE’s peaceful attempts to reclaim the three islands.
It alluded to Iraq’s support to the Arab League resolution passed in the Arab summit held March 29-30 in Syria asserting UAE’s ownership of the three islands.
UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the Iraqi support for UAE’s stand over the islands would give impetus to resolving Arab issues.