Tehran’s claims about Russia reiterating its support for Iran’s territorial integrity have been put in doubt by a Russian TASS news agency report.

The Iranian ambassador in Moscow and government media claimed Saturday that a senior Russian diplomat had backtracked on Moscow’s earlier endorsement of a territorial claim by the United Arab Emirates, by reiterating support for Iran’s territorial integrity over the Abu Musa, and the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands in the Persian Gulf. Iran's islands are claimed by the UAE as their own.

IRNA, the state news agency soon after claimed that the remarks indicated Russia had revised its position on the three islands. However, a report by the Russian news agency TASS shows the Russian diplomats were simply playing diplomatic chess with Iran, the two countries now firm allies since Iran has become a major supplier of drones and arms for Russia's war in Ukraine.

The TASS report not only mentioned nothing about respect for Iran's territorial integrity, but once again used the word ‘Arab Gulf’ to reiterate the stance of Russia’s foreign ministry expressed earlier.

TASS also quoted the Russian foreign ministry as adding that the senior Russian diplomat received the Iranian ambassador at his request.

Last week Moscow supported the United Arab Emirates’ sovereignty over three contested islands, causing diplomatic friction with Iran. Its loyalties are to the UAE which is one of the only states to still trade with Russia in spite of sanctions. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have flocked to the country since the war broke out last year.

Iran’s foreign ministry summoned Russia's ambassador and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdolahian and government spokesman Ali Bahadori wrote in separate tweets that "Iran will not compromise over its national interests and territorial integrity."