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Gulf Bloc United Over Island Dispute With Iran

April 18, 2012

by RFE/RL

Persian Gulf Arab states say they stand united in a territorial dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).

At a meeting in Doha, the Gulf Cooperation Council said any perceived aggression against the U.A.E. would be considered a threat to the entire bloc.

The dispute centers around Abu Musa and two other nearby islands in the Persian Gulf.

Both countries claim them, but Iran controls the islands.

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad visited Abu Musa last week.

Iran's IRNA news agency says Tehran plans to turn Abu Musa into an Iranian tourist zone.

The Gulf Cooperation Council criticized Ahmadinejad's visit, as has the U.S. State Department, saying it would "complicate efforts to settle the issue."

With reporting by AP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/gulf_bloc_united_over_island_dispute_with_iran/24551889.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.