Iran cites 19th century British maps in row over ownership of islands

Tehran cites 1888 charts in effort to prove ownership of islands near strait of Hormuz that are also claimed by UAE

Maps drawn up more than 130 years ago on the instruction of the Marquess of Salisbury, the then British foreign secretary, have been cited by Iran in its deepening dispute with the Gulf states over the ownership of three strategic islands at the entrance to the critical strait of Hormuz waterway.

The dispute is threatening to damage Iran's current efforts to form closer relations with its Gulf partners, and has also turned into an additional roadblock to improving Iran's relations with the European Union.