Unresolved territorial disputes have historically raised tensions between nations‎,‎ often leading to regional destabilization and international repercussions‎.‎ The issue of the three occupied UAE islands in the Persian Gulf ‎- the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa ‎- deserves particular attention because it threatens to undermine regional security and has potential global implications‎.‎ Given the commanding position of the islands over the major shipping lanes of the Gulf and their strategic location in the vicinity of important offshore oilfields‎,‎ the continuing Iranian occupation of these key islands is a matter of both regional and broader international concern‎.‎ Documenting the historical record and examining the relevant international precedents‎,‎ this comprehensive study assesses the legal and sovereign rights of the United Arab Emirates over the three islands‎.‎ The study is based on extensive research in both primary and secondary sources‎:‎ declassified British and US archival records and original historical documents‎,‎ relevant legal studies‎,‎ me‎.‎‎.‎‎.‎