Claims of Iran to disputed islands in Persian Gulf

This file is part of a sequence of files relating to Iran's claim to the Tunb Islands, disputed with Ras Al Khaimah, and to Abu Musa, disputed with Sharjah, in the Strait of Hormuz. It contains correspondence from February-April 1971 concerning the search for a solution to this dispute, including reference to:

• US interest in HMG's Gulf policy; US interest, including the involvement of Dick Murphy, in solving the dispute over Abu Musa; and US concern about the prospects for the Union of Arab Emirates and regional instability if a solution to the islands problem is not found
• Reports of an Iranian naval vessel in the territorial waters of Tunb and the question of Britain's response
• A suggestion by legal advisor P J Allott that a compromise settlement be pursued whereby the Trucial States Rulers acknowledge Iranian sovereignty in exchange for rights to explore and exploit the natural resources
• The view of former Iranian Ambassador Abbas Aram that Iran should take the islands before rather than after Britain's departure and that HMG should impose a solution on the Rulers whereby Iran acknowledges the existence of a union in exchange for sovereignty over the islands
• The question of when a minister should visit the Gulf
• A cutting from the Daily Telegraph titled 'Persia ready to oust Britain as Gulf policeman'
• The search for a compromise solution between HMG and the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
• The intention of King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to visit Tehran
• The Joint Intelligence Committee's (JIC) consideration of the threat to the islands and ministers' request for contingency plans before the completion of the JIC review
• Articles relating to the Shah's policy to seize the islands regardless, and his prior undertaking to W H T Luce not to publicise this policy
• A call by the Iranian Ambassador on the Foreign Secretary
• The updating of the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi regarding Iran's intentions over Abu Musa and a suggestion by Sharjah's legal advisor Northcutt Ely that Sheikh Khalid inform Iran, the UK and US of his willingness to negotiate
• The idea of selling the islands to a third party for subsequent re-sale to Iran
• A meeting involving Foreign Secretary Alec Douglas-Home and the American Ambassadors in London and Tehran regarding Gulf policy, the disputed islands and regional security arrangements
• A conversation between Douglas-Home and the Iranian Ambassador Amir Khosrow Afshar
• The idea of involving the UN Secretary General U Thant.