The Three Islands: Where Oil, Power, and Politics Converge in the Strait of Hormuz

Strategically located at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz—through which over one-third of the world’s oil supply passes—these islands represent control over a vital artery of global energy. Their significance transcends local disputes, encompassing economic, security, and geopolitical dimensions.
Historically, numerous documents from the Safavid, Zand, and Qajar dynasties, as well as official British maps from the 19th century, affirm Iran’s ownership of the islands. In 1971, coinciding with the British military withdrawal from the Persian Gulf, Iran reasserted control over the islands through an agreement with the Emirate of Sharjah—an event that occurred prior to the formal establishment of the UAE. Since then, Iran has maintained full administrative and military control, and the residents of Abu Musa hold Iranian citizenship.
The surrounding region is rich in natural resources, including oil and gas fields such as Mubarak and Siri. Abu Musa also hosts a valuable red soil mine, with significant annual extraction and export. Thus, the UAE’s claim is less about historical or emotional ties and more rooted in economic and geopolitical interests.
For Europe, the issue is tied to maintaining the balance of power in the Persian Gulf and ensuring uninterrupted energy flows. By echoing the UAE’s narrative, the EU appears to be reinforcing its economic and defense ties with the Arab monarchies in Persian Gulf.
Yet the on-the-ground reality remains unchanged: for over five decades, Iran has exercised effective, continuous, and lawful sovereignty over the three islands.
The recent EU-PGCC statement holds no legal or executive weight. It serves a purely symbolic and political function—aimed at appeasing Arab states rather than reflecting historical or legal truths.
The three islands are, and will remain, an integral part of Iranian territory—a testament to national strength in the Persian Gulf and a vivid embodiment of the unity between Iran’s geography, history, and identity.