Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned the final statement issued at a joint meeting of the heads of state of European Union (EU) and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The top diplomat made the remarks in a post on X, former Twitter, on Thursday after the meeting came up with the statement that accused the Islamic Republic of “occupation” of the triple Iranian islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, and claimed that the islands belonged to the United Arab Emirates.

“The EU-GCC Summit Joint Statement on Iran carries many messages,” the post read.

“To us, it is becoming clear that path of respectful cooperation we offered in several meetings, including in New York, is being met with European desire for confrontation—including via absurd accusation that Iran is engaged in ‘occupation,’” it added.

“The three islands have always belonged to Iran, and will forever remain as such,” the foreign minister asserted, noting, “Era of European malign 'divide & rule' interference in our region is long over.”

The three Persian Gulf islands have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in the country and other parts of the world. However, the UAE has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The islands fell under British control in 1921 but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the Emirates was to become an official federation, Iran’s sovereignty over the islands was restored.