Iran Accuses Canada of Hypocrisy in Dispute Over Three Gulf Islands
Iranian officials question Ottawa's support for UAE territorial claims while citing Canadian history with the United States.
By Paula Delgado ·
Three islands in the Persian Gulf sit at the center of a new diplomatic friction between Iran and Canada. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted a sharp critique on X today, October 31, targeting Prime Minister Mark Carney for backing the United Arab Emirates. The dispute involves Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb.
Baqaei argued that the UAE, a federation established in 1971, is asserting control over land that has belonged to Iran for thousands of years. He stated that historical records and geographical evidence prove Iranian ownership of the territories. The spokesman described the Canadian position as an endorsement of an absurd claim that ignores documented facts.
The Iranian official drew a direct line between Canada's foreign policy and its own national security. He pointed to the American invasion during the War of 1812 and the Montreal Annexation Manifesto of 1849. Baqaei also referenced recent comments from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Canada becoming the 51st state. He used these examples to question how Ottawa could support a similar territorial move by the UAE.
In his post, Baqaei asked why a country that has defended its sovereignty for over two centuries would side with what he called a fabricated dispute. He labeled the UAE claim as dangerous adventurism. The spokesman suggested that Canada is ignoring the principle of territorial integrity when it suits its partners. He noted that this approach undermines the consistency of Ottawa's stance on national borders.
The UAE maintains that the three islands are part of its territory. Iran has long contested this view, citing ancient ties to the region. The islands are strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The dispute has simmered for decades, but Baqaei's comments bring it back into focus with the entry of a major North American ally for the UAE.
Baqaei concluded his argument by questioning whether Canada respects historical and legal facts only when its own borders are threatened. He warned that Canada risks sawing off the branch it sits on by supporting the UAE. The post was shared by the official account of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is part of a series of statements released by Tehran in response to Western diplomatic moves in the region.
