Iran summons Chinese ambassador over disputed islands
Iran's foreign ministry summoned China's Ambassador Cong Peiwu on Sunday to protest Beijing's support for claims made by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding three islands in the Persian Gulf.
The dispute centers around paragraph 26 of a joint statement issued following a meeting between China and the UAE. Iran considers these islands part of its territory and rejects any claims by the UAE.
During the meeting with Ambassador Peiwu, Iranian Foreign Ministry official Mohammad AliBek emphasized the "eternal belonging" of the islands to Iran and highlighted the importance of respecting a nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stressed that Iran expects China, a close strategic partner, to revise its stance on the issue.
Ambassador Peiwu assured the Iranian official that he would promptly convey Iran's concerns to the Chinese government. (ILKHA)