Iran`s official dismisses UAE criticism of Iranian MPs’ visit to Persian Gulf islands

TEHRAN,May 8(MNA) – Iran on Tuesday dismissed the recent remarks by the United Arab Emirates about Iranian lawmakers’ visit to Persian Gulf islands near the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE Foreign Ministry on Monday criticized Iran after a number of the members of the Iranian Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee paid a one-day visit to the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Sirri on April 25. The UAE has repeatedly questioned Iran’s sovereignty over the three islands of Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa and urged Tehran to agree to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague or engage in direct negotiations. During his regular press briefing in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said, “The visit by the Iranian delegation to the three islands is an internal issue and falls within the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the islands will belong to Iran eternally.” However, he added that Tehran was ready to continue talks with the UAE to clear up the misunderstandings.