Iran has refused to accept a joint Kuwait-Egypt position regarding the ownership of the offshore Durra gas field, insisting on fresh negotiations for a lasting solution, an Iranian Foreign Ministry official said.
This disagreement persists despite Saudi Arabia and Kuwait’s repeated declarations that they solely own the natural resources in the “divided submerged zone,” including the entire Durra field.
Iran’s rejection came after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, discussed the Durra field during their recent talks in Cairo.
In a joint statement, the two sides underscored that the Durra field is entirely located within Kuwait’s territorial waters and that the ownership of the natural resources in the submerged area, adjacent to the divided zone in which the entire Durra field is located, belongs only to Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Iranian officials criticized these assertions, stating they have no basis in truth and reiterated their call for renewed negotiations.
Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated on Friday that his country rejects Kuwait’s unilateral position regarding the Durra field and the statement issued at the conclusion of the Kuwaiti Emir’s visit to Cairo.
“We recommend the authorities of this country to refrain from resorting to fruitless political and media methods regarding the issue of the Durra gas field,” he noted.
Kanaani highlighted Iran’s stance on the matter, citing historical rights and past negotiation records.
The spokesperson said that Iran extended an invitation to Kuwait to engage in discussions aimed at reaching a sustainable agreement grounded in friendly cooperation and shared interests.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait restated their joint ownership of the entire Durra field in a statement following the visit of Kuwait’s Emir to the Kingdom in February.
They emphasized that only Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have rights to the natural resources in the submerged area, including the Durra field.
Kuwait announced in August 2023 its readiness to take necessary steps, including negotiations, to secure rights in the Durra field, which holds massive gas reserves.
