Open letter to Gulf Cooperation Council
(Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates)

From: Union for a Secular Republic and Human Rights in Iran

Subject:  Recent Remarks on Iranian Territorial Sovereignty

Date:   December 9, 2025

The Union for a Secular Republic and Human Rights in Iran (USRHR-I), an international organization dedicated to the establishment of a democratic, rights-based, and secular governance system in Iran, is deeply concerned regarding recent comments made by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concerning the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb.

While USRHR-I resolutely opposes the repressive and destabilizing policies of the Islamic Republic, our stance against the current regime must never be misconstrued as ambivalence toward the territorial integrity of Iran. The sovereignty of Iran over the aforementioned islands is rooted in historical evidence, internationally recognized documents, and longstanding national identity. This sovereignty is not contingent upon, nor altered by, any government in office.

Any external attempt to reinterpret or undermine this reality — particularly through repeated political statements divorced from historical and legal fact — is counterproductive to regional peace and is perceived by the Iranian nation as an affront to its dignity. Responsible regional diplomacy demands respect for established borders, not the promotion of narratives that inflame tensions or attempt to capitalize on Iran’s internal political struggles.

USRHR-I encourages all regional entities, including the GCC, to approach matters of sovereignty with the seriousness and restraint they warrant. A future democratic Iran will be a constructive partner in the region, committed to cooperation, human rights, and stability. However, it will not, under any circumstances, relinquish its sovereign territory or engage in negotiations over what is indisputably part of the Iranian homeland.

We urge the GCC to pursue dialogue that fosters mutual respect and regional progress, rather than issuing statements that hinder trust and damage long-term diplomatic relations.

Union for a Secular Republic and Human Rights in Iran (USRHR-I)
Global Secretariat