Lesser Tunb, Disputed island in Hormozgan Province, Iran
Lesser Tunb is a small island near the Strait of Hormuz that rises about 3 meters above the Persian Gulf waters and covers roughly 2 square kilometers of land. The island has an airfield, harbor facilities, and is maintained by a permanent Iranian military presence.
Iranian forces took control of Lesser Tunb on November 30, 1971, following the British military withdrawal from the Persian Gulf region. This action came at the end of British military dominance in the area.
The name Tunb comes from Persian language terminology referring to elevated terrain, reflecting how locals traditionally name geographic features in this region.
Visiting is difficult since the island is under military control with only limited civilian access. Visitors should check current conditions and permission requirements before attempting to reach the area.
The island has been the subject of a sovereignty dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates since 1971. This conflict over control of this tiny territory remains a significant regional geopolitical matter.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
