Equipo Nizkor - Letter from Iran on the accusations made by the United Arab Emirates during a Security Council ministerial open debate.

United Nations
Security Council

S/2016/150

Distr.: General
17 February 2016
Original: English

Letter dated 16 February 2016 from the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Upon instructions from my Government and with reference to the statement made by Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, during the Security Council ministerial open debate on respect for the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations as a key element for the maintenance of international peace and security, held on 15 February 2016, in which some unfounded and unacceptable claims were raised against the Islamic Republic of Iran, I have the honour to state the following:

1. My delegation categorically rejects the baseless accusations that the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates levelled against my Government. Instead of accusing others of destabilizing the region, the United Arab Emirates needs to reconsider and stop its short-sighted, exclusionist and sectarian approach across the Islamic world that has and continues to inspire and help the most destructive forces in the Middle East. It is abundantly clear who are supporting the destabilizing elements that lead Al-Qaeda and Deash and fill their rank and file.

2. "Security for all" has been the principal pillar of Iran's security strategy in the Persian Gulf, which aims to maintain peace, security and stability in the region. Iran's foreign policy accords priority to enhancing stability in the region and promoting constructive engagement across the globe. We are determined to actively contribute to peace in the region in the face of the increasing threat of terrorism and violent extremism. Iran highly respects principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and, at the same time, believes that the legitimate rights of peoples should be respected.

3. On the unilateral claim by the United Arab Emirates over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Lesser Tunb and Greater Tunb, the Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its consistent and principled position that it does not recognize the existence of any such dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates; the three islands have been and continue to be an inseparable part of Iranian territory and, therefore, any claim to the contrary is categorically rejected. Nonetheless, and to show its utmost respect for the principle of good neighbourliness, Iran has always expressed its readiness to talk with the United Arab Emirates bilaterally with a view to removing any misunderstanding that may exist on the part of the United Arab Emirates over Abu Musa Island.

4. "Persian Gulf is the only true geographical designation for the body of water lying between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, which has been used from the dawn of history. As the institutional memory of all renowned cartographic agencies testifies, this sea area has always been identified as "Persian Gulf. In this context, the policy of the United Nations in standardization of geographical names, and its policy and practice in emphasizing the name "Persian Gulf as the only geographical designation applicable to this body of water, are noteworthy and should therefore be respected by all.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated to all members of the Security Council and issued as a document of the Council.

(Signed) Gholamali Khoshroo
Ambassador
Permanent Representative

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17Feb16

Letter from Iran on the accusations made by the United Arab Emirates during a Security Council ministerial open debate