Call on Canada to Correct Its Statement on the Three Persian Gulf Islands
The Issue
Respect Iran's Territorial Integrity: Call on Canada to Correct Its Statement on the Three Persian Gulf Islands
A nation's territorial integrity should never become a bargaining chip in international diplomacy.
On October 28, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi issued a joint statement describing Iran's presence on Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb as an occupation of United Arab Emirates territory.
For many Iranian-Canadians, this statement is deeply troubling. It presents a longstanding and historically complex territorial dispute as though sovereignty over these islands has been conclusively established in favour of the UAE.
Iran's historical claims deserve recognition, not dismissal.
Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb have longstanding historical connections to Iran. British archival records, historical maps, and declassified American diplomatic and intelligence documents provide important evidence supporting Iran's territorial claims.
Iran has administered the islands since 1971, decades before the establishment of the Islamic Republic. The historical circumstances surrounding the islands are complex, but that complexity is precisely why Canada's categorical language deserves reconsideration.
For Iranian-Canadians, this issue goes beyond politics. These islands represent part of Iran's history, national identity, and territorial heritage.
Opposing the Islamic Republic does not mean abandoning Iran's territorial integrity.
Governments change. Political systems change. But a nation's sovereignty, history, and territorial interests must not be confused with support for any particular government.
Many Iranian-Canadians strongly oppose the Islamic Republic while remaining deeply committed to protecting Iran's national interests and territorial integrity.
Canada has long emphasized the importance of international law, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful dispute resolution. Its foreign policy should reflect those same principles when addressing territorial disagreements involving Iran.
Canada can strengthen its diplomatic and economic relationship with the UAE without dismissing Iran's historical claims or presenting a disputed territorial question as an uncontested legal fact.
What We Are Asking
We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Government of Canada to:
- Retract or correct the passage in the October 28, 2026, joint statement that characterizes Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb as occupied UAE territory.
- Acknowledge Iran's longstanding historical claims and the complex, disputed nature of sovereignty over the islands.
Provide a transparent explanation of the historical and legal evidence supporting Canada's position. - Address the concerns of Iranian-Canadians whose national heritage and territorial identity have been affected by this statement.
- Reaffirm Canada's commitment to principled diplomacy, international law, and the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.
Why Your Signature Matters
This petition is not about supporting the Iranian government or opposing the people of the UAE. It is about historical accuracy, national sovereignty, and holding the Canadian government accountable for its diplomatic statements.
We believe Canada should approach this issue with fairness, historical awareness, and respect for the importance of territorial integrity.
Iran's territorial integrity belongs to its people, not to any political regime.
Add your name to call on the Government of Canada to reconsider its statement and address this issue with the seriousness it deserves.
2,463
The Issue
Respect Iran's Territorial Integrity: Call on Canada to Correct Its Statement on the Three Persian Gulf Islands
A nation's territorial integrity should never become a bargaining chip in international diplomacy.
On October 28, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi issued a joint statement describing Iran's presence on Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb as an occupation of United Arab Emirates territory.
For many Iranian-Canadians, this statement is deeply troubling. It presents a longstanding and historically complex territorial dispute as though sovereignty over these islands has been conclusively established in favour of the UAE.
Iran's historical claims deserve recognition, not dismissal.
Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb have longstanding historical connections to Iran. British archival records, historical maps, and declassified American diplomatic and intelligence documents provide important evidence supporting Iran's territorial claims.
Iran has administered the islands since 1971, decades before the establishment of the Islamic Republic. The historical circumstances surrounding the islands are complex, but that complexity is precisely why Canada's categorical language deserves reconsideration.
For Iranian-Canadians, this issue goes beyond politics. These islands represent part of Iran's history, national identity, and territorial heritage.
Opposing the Islamic Republic does not mean abandoning Iran's territorial integrity.
Governments change. Political systems change. But a nation's sovereignty, history, and territorial interests must not be confused with support for any particular government.
Many Iranian-Canadians strongly oppose the Islamic Republic while remaining deeply committed to protecting Iran's national interests and territorial integrity.
Canada has long emphasized the importance of international law, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful dispute resolution. Its foreign policy should reflect those same principles when addressing territorial disagreements involving Iran.
Canada can strengthen its diplomatic and economic relationship with the UAE without dismissing Iran's historical claims or presenting a disputed territorial question as an uncontested legal fact.
What We Are Asking
We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Government of Canada to:
- Retract or correct the passage in the October 28, 2026, joint statement that characterizes Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb as occupied UAE territory.
- Acknowledge Iran's longstanding historical claims and the complex, disputed nature of sovereignty over the islands.
Provide a transparent explanation of the historical and legal evidence supporting Canada's position. - Address the concerns of Iranian-Canadians whose national heritage and territorial identity have been affected by this statement.
- Reaffirm Canada's commitment to principled diplomacy, international law, and the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.
Why Your Signature Matters
This petition is not about supporting the Iranian government or opposing the people of the UAE. It is about historical accuracy, national sovereignty, and holding the Canadian government accountable for its diplomatic statements.
We believe Canada should approach this issue with fairness, historical awareness, and respect for the importance of territorial integrity.
Iran's territorial integrity belongs to its people, not to any political regime.
Add your name to call on the Government of Canada to reconsider its statement and address this issue with the seriousness it deserves.
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Petition created on October 30, 2026