UAE’s baseless claims on Iranian islands

	UAE's baseless claims on Iranian islands serve hegemonic powers' interests in Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf is one of the most strategic areas in the world and contains abundant strategic resources. The entire Persian Gulf was once part of Iran’s territorial waters and has had a huge influence on the country's cultural, social, and economic life, and still does. The great geostrategic importance of the region has always attracted the attention of the major powers. The colonial powers once dominated the region and benefited greatly from its vast resources, and when they were forced to leave the area, they made serious efforts to maintain their interests in the region. Sowing discord between Persian Gulf states is one of the main policies adopted by the Western hegemonic powers for maintaining their interests in the Persian Gulf region. The recent claims by the United Arab Emirates about three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf are actually part of an old hegemonic agenda meant to prevent the two Muslim nations from establishing constructive relations. According to historical documents, the islands belong to Iran and the country’s sovereignty over the islands is not negotiable. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to Abu Musa Island was just a part of his tour of the southern province of Hormozgan. UAE officials should be aware that the trip was an internal issue and not something that they can use as a propaganda tool against the Iranian government. However, UAE officials seem to have become accustomed to adopting hasty and premature decisions. Kianoush Kiani Haftlang is the director of the Abu Reyhan Birouni Research Institute, which is affiliated with the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia.