Nournews: The designation of December 9 as the National Day of the Three Islands in Iran’s official calendar goes far beyond symbolic naming. It highlights a vital part of Iran’s historical and legal memory that has repeatedly come under political and propaganda campaigns by certain regional governments over the years—campaigns that carry little legal weight and largely reflect geopolitical rivalries, domestic crises, or day-to-day political needs of the objecting states. The significance of this designation lies not in responding to such occasional claims, but in reaffirming the clear and unshakable fact of Iran’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty and ownership over Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—sovereignty rooted not in temporary arrangements, but in history, legal documents, international custom, and realities on the ground.
Claims of a political nature
To understand the status of these islands, we must look beyond political noise. What some governments describe as a “dispute” is not, in fact, a dispute—because a dispute only exists when both sides possess credible and documented legal claims. In the case of the Three Islands, the entire body of historical evidence—from official maps of various eras to legal correspondence and agreements involving Britain prior to its withdrawal from the Persian Gulf—firmly establishes Iran’s sovereignty. Accordingly, the international legal community has never considered this issue a “legal dispute,” and has consistently regarded such claims outside legitimate legal frameworks.
Nevertheless, every few years, certain governments—due to domestic political needs or to secure external support—launch a new wave of political statements. Despite their loud rhetoric, these statements lack legal depth and rarely resonate even within their own societies. What drives these positions are geopolitical calculations, shifts in regional balance, or attempts to extract concessions in unrelated dossiers. Simply put, the Three Islands are used by these states as a political tool, not a legal conviction. This is why such claims are always voiced in political language, not in the vocabulary of international law.
In such an environment, the establishment of the National Day of the Three Islands offers an opportunity to calmly and logically reaffirm the reality that the islands’ belonging to Iran is neither negotiable, nor tradable, nor even a topic for political discussion. This position is not rhetorical—it is rooted in a foundational principle of international law: the principle of indivisible territorial integrity. The Three Islands are part of the officially recognized territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and an inseparable component of its documented borders. No government has the right to place the territory of another sovereign state on the negotiation table; and nowhere is this reality clearer than in the case of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb.
A remarkable national consensus
Beyond the legal dimension, the deeper point is the historical and social consensus of the Iranian nation on territorial integrity. In a country as ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse as Iran, there may be different opinions on internal matters. But when it comes to the nation’s borders, every difference disappears and a single voice emerges. Across all regions, political views, and ideological preferences, one principle has always held true: not one inch of Iran’s land is negotiable or open to compromise. The Three Islands symbolize this national consensus—one that no regional government, media campaign, or political pressure can undermine.
This national cohesion is not merely emotional; it is a strategic pillar of Iran’s foreign policy in the Persian Gulf. Governments that raise occasional claims know well that such positions cannot overcome the historic unity of the Iranian nation. For this reason, every political campaign launched against Iran quickly fades—lacking legal backing, international traction, or the power to overcome Iran’s national resolve.
The designation of the National Day of the Three Islands, in addition to its symbolic value, provides an opportunity to shift from reactive responses to proactive engagement. It can serve as a platform for academic discussions, historical research, publication of legal documents, and public education for newer generations regarding the long-standing history of Iran’s sovereignty over these islands. The more this awareness grows, the stronger Iran’s internal cohesion becomes, and the more leverage its diplomacy gains in facing future political challenges.
Raising the profile of the Three Islands in public discourse is not a reaction to media noise; it is a reinforcement of Iran’s historical and legal narrative—a narrative grounded in reality, not fleeting regional rivalries. The National Day of the Three Islands reminds us that defending territorial integrity is a historical and national responsibility shared by all Iranians, upheld with unwavering commitment.
In a world where borders face unprecedented geopolitical pressures, this national unity is Iran’s greatest strategic asset—an asset reaffirmed through the establishment of this national day, strengthening Iran’s position in its prudent and forward-looking regional policy.