News / Politics / Persian Gulf

Iran refutes Kuwait’s assertion of exclusive rights to Arash gas field

Wednesday, 24 April 2024 6:10 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 24 April 2024 7:13 PM ]

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed new assertions by Kuwait of exclusive rights to the entirety of the Arash gas field in the Persian Gulf, urging the Arab sheikhdom to avoid bringing the matter into the media spotlight and instead come to the negotiating table to reach an amicable solution.

This was in reaction to a joint statement by Kuwait and Jordan following a meeting between their leaders, which underscored the gas field, Durra as they call it, is situated within the Kuwaiti territorial waters, with all its resources belonging to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Nasser Kan’ani, the spokesman for the Iranian ministry, dismissed the remarks as invalid and said the unilateral assertion of such claims does not create any right for the claimant.

"We urge Kuwait to avoid the incorrect path of media hype on this matter and instead return to technical and legal negotiations, which is the best and most appropriate way to address the issue.”

"Based on historical rights and the record of joint negotiations, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to continue discussions within a framework that ensures respect for mutual interests."

The spokesman emphasized Iran’s adherence to the principle of good faith in regional interactions and stressed the need to avoid the involvement of third-party states in this matter.

Explainer: What’s Arash gas field row between Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia?

A strategically important Persian Gulf gas field shared between Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is again in the news after Kuwaiti officials repeated their fallacious claims while denying Iran its legitimate rights.

"Undoubtedly, the relevant governments can reach the necessary agreement away from media controversies, through friendly cooperation and in line with common interests."

The dispute over the Arash gas field dates back to the 1960s when Iran and Kuwait were awarded overlapping offshore concessions for the field following its discovery.

The dispute has undergone several rounds of assertions and rebuttals by the involved parties, becoming a friction point among the three neighboring states of the Persian Gulf.

Iran says dialogue is the fundamental means to resolve the dispute.

The Arash gas field is estimated to contain reserves of 20 trillion cubic feet of gas, potentially yielding a daily output of one billion cubic feet. Some studies show approximately 40% of the field lies within Iranian maritime boundaries.

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