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Abu Musa (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) has a population of around 600 people, and is situated at the mouth of the narrows of the Strait of Hormuz.
The largest of these three islands Abu Musa covers an area of 12 sq kms., with a diameter of 5 kms.
It is roughly circular in shape. The highest elevation is about 110 meters, obtains toward the northern part of the Island at Halva peak (Jebel Halwa).
The mountains end as rocky cliffs or steep promontories at the north, while at the mouths of the valleys are sandy beaches at the south.
Like the other islands in the Persian Gulf enjoys warm and humid climate. The annual precipitation is over 100 mm.
Abu Musa is notable for its golden, sandy beaches and for its authentic natural beauty. In the west and south-west is Abu Musa town, the capital of the island and its most important harbour. Fishing is the major industry on this island.
There are few significant resources on the islands apart from red oxide (coloring pigment) and oil, and only Abu Musa can accommodate large ships.
Security Issues
Abu Musa gives Iran a base for projecting its power and influence south toward the GCC. Situated at the mouth of the narrows of the Strait of Hormuz, of the Persian Gulf, through which passes a fifth of the world's oil supplies.
All of Iran's oil tanker traffic pass through this area; making the security of the area very important. Control of Abu Musa also gives extra protection to Bandar Abbas, an Iranian port important for its oil industry and military base.
When Iraq made threatening moves toward Kuwait in October 1994, Iran increased its military presence on Abu Musa. Although, when the crisis subsided, Iranian troops remained on the island.
Then in 1995, Iran increased its military presence (from 700 to 4,000 troops) and deployed SA-6 surface-to-air missiles, 155- millimeter artillery, and "Seersucker" anti-ship missiles. Iran opened an airport on Abu Musa in March 1996.
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