MP: Iran plans settlement expansion on Persian Gulf islands
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
An Iranian parliamentarian announced the government’s plans for housing construction and improving residential settlements on the three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf.
In an interview with Iran Daily, Abdulkarim Hashemi, the representative of the southern province of Hormozgan and member of the parliament’s Plan, Budget and Accounting Committee, said the government had plans for enhancing residential facilities on the three islands.
Hashemi addressed unfounded claims against Iran’s territorial integrity, emphasizing, “The three islands are inseparable parts of the Islamic Republic; these islands have been Iranian for many long years and will remain Iranian forever.”
Referring to Iran’s historical sovereignty over the three islands, he stated, “These islands have been part of Iran’s governance during eras when many of the current Persian Gulf states had not yet been formed.”
The islands have historically been part of Iran for many centuries, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless legal, historical and geographical documents in Iran and other countries. But the UAE has questioned Iran’s sovereignty over the islands over the past decades.
Iran has time and again stressed that the three islands are an “integral part of Iran’s territory,” and advised the Arab country not to take positions undermining bilateral friendship.
The member of the parliament’s Plan, Budget and Accounting Committee added, “In this context, the Islamic Republic and its governing institutions, including the government and Parliament, are pursuing programs to develop the Iranian islands of the Persian Gulf. This includes implementing plans and activities to revitalize the islands and attract populations from various regions of the country.”
“Job creation on the islands is also a priority to eliminate concerns about employment for those residing there. Additionally, enhanced services for families living on these islands and for employees of executive agencies stationed there have been planned.”
“To increase the population of the three islands, recent measures include allocating land to applicants for housing construction and providing incentives in this regard,” the parliamentarian stressed.
“Developmental initiatives on the three islands began during the previous administration but have intensified under the current government. Prioritizing the three islands does not imply neglect of Iran’s other Persian Gulf islands. Hormozgan Province has 14 islands in the Persian Gulf, and provincial authorities are advancing development plans across all of them,” Hashemi explained.
On the strategic importance of the three islands, he elaborated, “Iran’s three islands hold a strategic position in the Persian Gulf and are of high significance in security and economic matters. These islands possess substantial untapped potential for development in economic sectors, agriculture, and tourism.”
“Located near the Strait of Hormuz and along key shipping routes, they serve as critical hubs for maritime navigation and trade in the Persian Gulf,” he stated.
Regarding tourism potential, he noted, “Due to their unique geographical location and warm, humid climate — particularly during colder seasons — these islands can provide travelers with a warm and temperate environment.”
Acknowledging existing challenges, Hashemi said, “The primary obstacle hindering the three islands from achieving adequate development has been their considerable distance from the mainland. Additionally, the islands have lacked proper passenger transportation infrastructure. To address this, improving freight and passenger transport infrastructure as well as service facilities for the three islands must be prioritized. This will encourage more people to settle there. Simultaneously, developing recreational and tourism amenities will attract visitors to choose these islands as destinations.”