For the second time, the Russian envoy to Tehran has been summoned over the same issue. Iran has once again expressed its strong protest to Moscow after it signed a joint statement with Arab nations calling for negotiations over three disputed islands claimed by the United Arab Emirates. The Russian envoy received Tehran’s protest at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Iran emphasized that the islands belong to them and any outside claims are unacceptable. The islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, have been under Iranian control since 1971. The UAE claims them as their own and has received increasing support from Russia and China. This is the third time Russia has irked Iran with these joint statements, and Iranian lawmakers have voiced their strong opposition to any negotiations over the islands. The parliament speaker warned Russia to be careful and emphasized that Iran will not back down on the issue. Some lawmakers also suggested that Russia should negotiate with Japan over the Kuril Islands if it is suggesting negotiations over the disputed islands.