Iran’s interference in region must stop

The UAE is committed to peace and development but will never give up its claim to the occupied islands

very day brings new reports of atrocities, terrorist attacks, developments on the geopolitical stage that are difficult to keep abreast of. Terrorism remains a threat and governments have the unenviable task of trying to combat those who would subvert the very foundations of normal civilised societies at the pull of a trigger or the press of a detonator button. Across this Middle East, we face humanitarian crises of the gravest scale, instability and the scourge of subversives.

Make no mistake, the government of Iran has been actively spreading division since its re-entry onto the world stage. Tehran seems to believe that the international agreement reached on the future of its nuclear programme has somehow given it carte blanche to interfere actively in the internal affairs of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, as well as spreading discontent in Bahrain. Its nexus of interference is an obstacle to peace and its meddling has resulted in violence and despair.

Addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on Saturday, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, categorically and rightly pointed the finger of blame at Iran for its nefarious meddling in the affairs of others. His words could not have been clearer: “We find Iran, with its expansionist regional policies, flagrant violations of the principles of sovereignty, and constant interference in the internal affairs of its neighbouring countries, has played the greatest role in causing tension and instability in the region. And he continued: “Iran wasted no time in continuing its efforts to undermine the security of the region, through aggressive rhetoric, blatant interference, producing and arming militias, developing its ballistic missile programme, in addition to its alarming designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.”

Indeed, Tehran’s actions against the UAE, since the earliest days of this nation’s foundation, have been meant to thwart and frustrate this government and people in the UAE’s peaceful and diplomatic efforts to regain the occupied islands of Abu Mousa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs in the Arabian Gulf. Shaikh Abdullah reiterated that the UAE has called, and continues to call on Iran to return the occupied islands either voluntarily or through peaceful means. The UAE will never give up its sovereign right over these islands, and this approach emphasises the UAE’s insistence on the principles of international law.