Abu Musa Island sits in the eastern Persian Gulf; Iran administers it, but sovereignty is contested by the UAE. It’s a flashpoint in clashes over Hormuz and Gulf oil routes.
The US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, and the IRGC has warned civilians near US forces to stay away; the exchanges have closed much of the strait and pushed oil prices higher.
The three islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—have long anchored Iran’s presence in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent U.S. strikes on two islands have reignited questions about ownership and future control, highlighting their strategic role in global energy shipping.