The Iranian foreign ministry summoned China’s ambassador to the country Sunday over statements made during a China-UAE bilateral meeting appearing to dispute Tehran’s sovereignty over three islands in the Strait of Hormuz claimed by the UAE.

Mohammad Ali Bak, the assistant minister and director general of the Persian Gulf at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the outstanding relations between China and Iran and therefore called on China to respect Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty while protesting Chinese support for the statements made by the United Arab Emirates. Ali Bak voiced Iran’s disapproval of any claim of sovereignty and control over the three islands by any third party.

Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb are the disputed islands between Iran and UAE that have been under Tehran’s control since 1971, when Iranian forces seized the islands, killing a UAE policeman. The Iranian government of the time said that the islands had originally belonged to the ancient Persian empire. Although small and not highly enriched with natural resources, they occupy a strategic location in the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has repeatedly contested Iran’s control over the islands, now claiming them to be “occupied”.

China and Iran came together recently for the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum held in Beijing on May 30, where Chinese President Xi Jinping also held talks with President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In his statement, Xi Jinping voiced support for the UAE’s developing path in maintenance and the safeguarding of its territorial sovereignty along with its development interests and security needs.