The 12 Emirati nationals and one Indian national, arrested close to the occupied Abu Musa Island, were transferred to a military dock on June 20, Press TV quoted base commander Colonel Ali Vesali as saying.
“The (Iranian) forces at Abu Musa Marine Patrol Base detected two intruding UAE vessels while fishing in the Gulf waters and issued the order for capturing them,” Vesali said.
Khaleej Times tried to contact both the Iranian Consul-General in Dubai and the Ambassador in Abu Dhabi, but officials said they were not available for comment.
The Abu Musa Island official, who did not wish to be identified, said the boat seized belonged to an Emirati, identified as Mohammed Jaafar.
“The fishermen, set free on Friday afternoon, are now heading to the UAE coasts after signing a declaration to the Iranian authorities never to breach the Island’s territorial waters.”
Some of the residents on the Island said the detainees were on a fishing trip six nautical miles off the occupied Abu Musa Island.
The residents there said Iranian marine forces swiftly took action if any fishermen or boats came closer than six or seven miles from the island always arrested anyone onboard.
A resident there, identified only as S.N., said the Iranian authorities would deal “sternly and arrogantly” with any Emirati fishermen who may approached the coast.
“Emirati fishermen used to be taken in the custody of the Iranian forces for two or three days, but the situation is quite different these days since temporary detention may only be forced for some hours, and finally the detainees are released.”
The three islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs have been occupied by Iran since 1971, shortly before the seven Gulf emirates gained full independence from Britain and formed the UAE, now allied with Washington.
In May, the United Arab Emirates criticised a visit by Iranian politicians to the occupied islands.
