Iranian claim to Bahrain

This file relates to Iranians in Bahrain and to relations with Iran. It contains correspondence on:

• The Iranian claim to sovereignty over Bahrain, its attitude to the possibility of independence for the island, or of federation in a Union of Arab Emirates, referring to the views of the Iranian Foreign Ministry official Ezzuddin Kazemi, the Prime Minister Amir-Abbas Hoveyda and the Pan-Iranist Party leader Mohsen Pezeshkpour
• The Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's suggestion of a plebiscite with a briefing paper by A D Parsons on the idea
• The unwillingness of the Ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa to meet the Shah
• A statement by Mr Mathieson to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conference concerning Iran's opposition to Bahrain's membership of the organisation
• Iranian concern at discrimination against Iranians in Bahrain, including disturbances at Masjid-e-Jaa-Fariyeh and the concerns of Ardeshir Zahedi
• The expulsion of Iranians re-registering their Certificates of Identity; the reaction of the Shah; and a statement of fact by Goronwy Roberts with a record of his meeting on the subject with Nassereddin Mirfakhrai
• The dismissal of Iranian, Pakistani and Omani medical staff
• The possibility of visits to Bahrain by Iranian naval personnel, including those attached to the Royal Navy
• The desire of Admiral Farajullah Rasa'i to inspect Plessey AR1 Radar equipment in Bahrain
• A visit by the Canadian First Secretary at the Tehran Embassy to Bahrain.

This file also contains correspondence on:

• Saudi Arabia's preference for Bahrain's inclusion in a Union of Arab Emirates
• Bahrain's efforts to join football's governing body FIFA, the World Health Organization and the International Postal Union.