TEHRAN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Wednesday rejected Kuwait's recent "one-sided" claims to the ownership of a gas field in the Gulf waters between Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
He made the remarks while reacting to a joint statement issued on Wednesday by Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the end of a visit to Jordan.
The statement said that the Durra offshore field, known as Arash in Iran, "falls within the maritime boundaries of Kuwait and that natural resources in the divided zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, including Durra field, only belong to the two Arab states as per international law and bilateral accords."
Kanaani highlighted Iran's right to the field, saying making "one-sided" claims in such statements created no right for the claimant.
He pointed to the previous negotiations and consultations on the issue between Iran and Kuwait, noting that the technical and legal negotiations were the "best and most appropriate way" to address the problem.
Kanaani stressed that Iran was ready to continue the talks on developing a framework that would guarantee respect for the common interests.
He underlined the principle of goodwill in regional interactions, highlighting the necessity to refrain from allowing interference by third parties in resolving the issue.
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iran have a long-lasting dispute over the ownership of the offshore gas field. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait signed an agreement on jointly developing the gas field in March 2022. Iran denounced the agreement as "illegal" and said it violated previous negotiations.
Iran and Kuwait have held talks for years over the disputed maritime border area, which is rich in natural gas, but failed to map border demarcation and end disputes. ■
