Iran to expand tourism on Abu Musa Island amid UAE claim
Iran announced several new projects on Abu Musa Island, southern Hormuzgan Province, including a large tourism center, sports facilities, and housing developments.
This expansion follows the UAE’s recent claim on Abu Musa, which Iran firmly rejects as it considers the island an “inseparable” part of its territory.
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi Amiri, revealed plans to establish a 30-hectare tourism center on Abu Musa.
This facility will offer recreational and accommodation options for both locals and visitors, making it easier for Iranian citizens to explore the island.
Salehi Amiri explained that military cooperation has helped open areas for development, stating, “Abu Musa is an inseparable part of our land, and we are working to make it accessible to everyone.”
The minister also highlighted broader regional efforts, noting that nearby Chabahar and the Makran coasts are undergoing significant development. A private company has invested $72.5 million in a major tourism project on the Makran coast, aimed at transforming the area with access to open waters, green spaces, and natural attractions.
On the sports front, Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth Ahmad Donya Mali, emphasized Abu Musa’s potential for beach sports.
During his recent visit, Donya Mali announced that sports facilities are set to open by the end of the current Iranian year (March 20), with sufficient funding already in place to ensure timely completion of dormitories, swimming pools, and other facilities.
In addition to tourism and sports, Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development (MRUD) is launching a housing project on Abu Musa.
Deputy Minister Arsalan Maleki stated that construction on 110 residential units will soon begin, providing homes for locals and applicants from other areas of Iran.
This announcement came shortly after the UAE reiterated its claim to Abu Musa and two other Iranian islands in a joint statement with the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union.
Maleki clarified that construction on Abu Musa is fully permitted under Iranian law, remarking, “The MRUD is legally bound to expand housing on Abu Musa.”
Plus, the popular Qur’an recital event, ‘Mahfel,’ is set to take place on Abu Musa on November 1, featuring hosts from Iranian television and various artists. This cultural event underscores Iran’s dedication to fostering a connection with Abu Musa while advancing the island’s infrastructure.
Iran strongly maintains that Abu Musa, along with Greater and Lesser Tunb, are historically and legally part of its territory, a position it reiterated in response to the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and EU statement.