The Greater and Lesser Tunbs (tunb is Persian for "hilly place") are two islands situated along the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The surface of the Greater Tunb is 10.3 km² and the lesser Tunb 2 km². The islands are mentioned in the paragraph 6 of the first column in the Behistun Inscription to have been a part of the province Persis of the Persian Empire.
There is a red soil mine active on the Greater Tunb island.
The islands are disputed between the United Arab Emirates and Iran. The case is currently being heard at the International Court of Justice. They are currently under Iranian control, and are considered part of the province of Hormozgan. They have never been under control of United Arab Emirates.
Last updated: 05-22-2005 15:59:04