Qatar and the Iran-Iraq War

This file concerns Qatar and the Iran-Iraq War. It contains correspondence and memoranda relating to:

• A British-owned tanker being threatened by an Iranian Phantom Aircraft near Halul Island
• The Indian Minister for External Affairs’ decision to visit a series of Gulf Capitals, including Doha, in order to try and prevent the launch of the long-awaited Iranian offensive
• The Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Bin Faisal Al Saud’s visit to Tehran to discuss the question of whether to allow the resumption of Iraqi oil exports through the Gulf; and the split in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) between those for and against a rapprochement with Iran
• Qatar’s oil production
• British Loan Service Personnel in the Qatari military, and their inability to become involved in hostilities without HMG’s consent
• Peter J Millett’s conversation with the Director of Political Affairs at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Mohammad Al Khalifa. It includes reference to: the Iran-Iraq War; the Iranian threat to Qatar; and the US military presence in the Gulf
• Qatar’s decision to deploy Rapier Aircraft to Halul Island
• Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the Iran-Iraq War
• Iranian and Iraqi attacks on shipping in the Gulf.