Iran summoned European ambassadors to the capital on Wednesday in protest against a joint statement by the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which Tehran described as interventionist and baseless.

Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s Political Deputy Foreign Minister, said the European envoys were called in after the statement questioned Iran’s sovereignty over three strategically important islands in the Persian Gulf — Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb — and criticized Tehran’s missile and regional defense programs.

“The summons followed the meddlesome allegations in the joint statement of the EU and GCC foreign ministers regarding Iran’s islands and its defensive issues,” Takht-Ravanchi told state media.

The EU-GCC communiqué backed the United Arab Emirates’ claims to the three islands and urged a peaceful settlement or referral to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The statement also called for a strictly peaceful Iranian nuclear program and the curbing of missile, drone, and related technologies.

The joint statement additionally urged Iran to restore full cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, and pressed Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis to participate in UN-led talks, cease Red Sea attacks, and release detained aid workers.

Tehran firmly rejects the UAE’s claims, insisting that the islands are an integral part of Iranian territory, and accused Western and Gulf powers of undermining its sovereignty. Iranian officials stressed that its missile and regional defense programs are entirely defensive in nature and within the country’s sovereign rights.

The diplomatic move comes amid heightened tensions following the reimposition of UN sanctions and increased Western scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear and regional activities. Analysts say the incident reflects ongoing frictions in the Gulf region and escalating geopolitical rivalries involving Iran, the UAE, and Western powers.

“Iran will not tolerate any interference in its internal and territorial matters,” a senior Iranian diplomat stated. “Our sovereignty over the Persian Gulf islands is non-negotiable.”

The summoned European ambassadors are expected to relay Tehran’s strong objections back to their respective governments, as diplomatic exchanges continue in a sensitive period for Gulf and Middle Eastern geopolitics. (ILKHA)