In response to a joint Russia-GCC statement expressing support for “all peaceful efforts, including the initiative of the United Arab Emirates and its endeavours to reach a peaceful solution to the issue of the three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa”, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson asserted: “These islands belong to Iran forever and issuing such statements is in contradiction with the friendly relations between Iran and its neighbours”. The following day, Iran’s foreign ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador and “demanded that the Russian Federation rectify its stance on the matter”.