The offshore gas field, known as Arash in Iran and Dorra in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, has long been focal point of contention between the three countries.
- The gas field is located on the eastern maritime border of Kuwait.
- The Dorra gas field was discovered in 1967. Iran which calls the field Arash, says the field extends into its waters.
- Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, who share maritime gas and oil resources in the zone between them, signed an agreement recently to jointly develop the field. Days later, Iran objected to the deal, branding it illegal, and said it would launch its own plans to develop the field.
- The dispute over Dorra/Arash dates back to the 1960s, when Iran and Kuwait were each awarded an offshore concession.
- Recently, the Saudi foreign ministry said it reaffirms its joint ownership of the natural resources in the Dorra gas field with Kuwait and called on Iran to negotiate the eastern border of the area regarding Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as one negotiating party.
