Iran slams Canada for supporting UAE claim over three Gulf islands

What Happened

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei criticised Canada in an X post dated 31 October 2026 for backing the United Arab Emirates' claim to Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb. Baqaei said the UAE, established in 1971, lays claim to the islands despite 'historical records and geographical and documented evidence establishing their Iranian ownership', and that the islands have been part of Iran for millennia. He accused Canada's Prime Minister of echoing an 'absurd claim' and invoked Canada's own sovereignty history, including the War of 1812 American invasion, the 1849 Montreal Annexation Manifesto and Donald Trump's repeated remarks about making Canada the 51st US state.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The islands sit near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint, making any sovereignty dispute strategically sensitive. Canada's reported alignment with the UAE could signal broader Western backing for Gulf territorial claims against Iran and add diplomatic friction to already tense Iran-Western relations.

Watch For

Monitor whether Iran summons Canada's ambassador or issues a formal protest; whether the Canadian Prime Minister or Global Affairs Canada responds publicly; and whether the UAE reiterates its claim. Also watch for any related statements from other Gulf states or the E3, as the dispute could feed into wider Iran-GCC diplomatic dynamics.