Salehi made the remarks in a message issued Sunday to mark the National Day of the Three Islands, a recently added occasion on the Iranian calendar.
“The National Day of the Three Islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—serves as a clear and unwavering reminder of an enduring truth in Iran’s history; a truth rooted in the depths of this land’s national identity, historical memory, and cultural geography,” said the Iranology Foundation chief, whose institution is dedicated to research on Iran and Iranian studies.
“This day is an opportunity to honor one of the most self-evident expressions of Iran’s historical continuity in the blue waters of the Persian Gulf,” he added.
Salehi described the three islands as historical and legal markers of Iran’s sovereignty, saying they are part of the country’s enduring legacy, recorded and reflected in the body of Iranian studies.
The islands are considered a sensitive national issue in Iran, as they are claimed by the United Arab Emirates.
