Greater and Lesser Tunbs

Lore & Background

Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb are small islands in the eastern Persian Gulf, about 12 kilometers apart and 20 kilometers south of Iran's Qeshm Island. Greater Tunb has a surface area of 10.3 km² and is known for its red soil; its population is uncertain, with some sources reporting a few dozen to a few hundred inhabitants and others describing it as having no native civilian population. Lesser Tunb covers 2 km² and is uninhabited except for a small airfield, harbor, and entrenched Iranian military unit. Both islands host an Iranian garrison, naval station, and aircraft runway, with Greater Tunb also having a fish storage facility and a red-soil mine.

The toponym 'Tonb' is likely of Persian origin, meaning 'hill' or 'low elevation,' though it also appears as a proper Arabic word meaning 'to anchor.' Historically, the islands were referenced as Iranian in 12th- and 14th-century Persian works and were dominions of the Kings of Hormuz from around 1330 until the Portuguese takeover in 1507. They remained under Hormuzi-Portuguese administration until 1622, when the Portuguese were expelled by the Persian central government. In the 18th century, the Qasimi tribe, of Arab origin but with Persian geographical roots, gained control of the islands for about 100 years, originating the present-day dispute.

British records from the late 18th to late 19th centuries consistently identified the Tonbs as part of the Persian province of Fars, with maps and surveys showing them in Persian colors. However, in 1887, the Persian central government reorganized the ports and islands, dissolving the Qasami governorship, which prompted Britain to change its stance due to suspicions of German and Russian influence. By August 1888, Britain acquiesced in Persian actions on nearby Sirri, affecting its position on the Tonbs as well.

Reader's Guide

Greater and Lesser Tunbs are significant primarily as a symbol of ongoing territorial disputes in the Persian Gulf. Their strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments, gives them outsized geopolitical importance despite their small size and sparse population. The islands' red soil and military installations—including an Iranian garrison, naval station, and airfield—underscore Iran's determination to maintain control, while the United Arab Emirates' claim, rooted in historical Qasimi rule, keeps the dispute alive in regional diplomacy.

The historical record shows that for much of the 19th century, British authorities acknowledged Persian sovereignty over the islands, as reflected in official surveys and maps. The shift in British policy after 1887, driven by fears of German and Russian influence, complicated the legal and political status of the Tunbs. The islands thus encapsulate the interplay of local tribal politics, imperial rivalries, and modern state claims. Their disputed sovereignty remains unresolved, with both Iran and the UAE asserting ownership based on different historical narratives. The Tunbs serve as a case study in how small, sparsely inhabited territories can become focal points of national pride and strategic competition.

Did You Know?

• Greater Tunb has a surface area of 10.3 km² and is known for its red soil.
• Lesser Tunb is uninhabited except for a small airfield, harbor, and entrenched Iranian military unit.
• The toponym 'Tonb' is likely of Persian origin, meaning 'hill' or 'low elevation.'
• The islands were under Qasimi control for about 100 years, originating the present-day dispute with the UAE.