On 30 November 1971, an Iranian contingent landed on Abu Musa to occupy the part of the island alluded to in the Memorandum of Understanding with Sharjah. It was led by the commandant of the navy who was received by the deputy ruler of Sharjah and some aides. On the same day, Iranian Prime Minister officially broke the news of the seizure of the islands of Lesser and Greater Tunbs and the partial occupation of Abu Musa and stated that the Iranian flag had been hoisted on the tip of Haifa mountain, the highest point in Abu Musa. He said Iran's sovereignty of the islands was restored following prolonged talks with the British government and declared that Iran would not abandon its sovereignty over the whole of Abu Musa and accordingly, the presence of local officials in certain parts of the island was inconsistent with Iran's sovereignty over the whole island.