Bahrain's problems with Iran

This file relates to the dispute between Bahrain and Iran in the period of October and December 1968, discussed between HM Embassy in Tehran, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, various Political Agencies in the Gulf and the Iranian Foreign Ministry. It contains correspondence concerning:

• Iranian suggestion of a plebiscite in Bahrain
• Possibility of the dispute being raised at the UN or the International Court of Justice
• Visit of the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; and his meeting with the Ruler of Saudi Arabia King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
• Next meeting of the Rulers of the proposed Union of Arab Emirates in Doha and Iranian views on this
• Audience of HM Ambassador in Iran Sir D A H Wright with the Shah on 28 October 1968
• Visit of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to Iran
• Issue of HMG updating US officials on developments
• Incident involving Rotary International’s decision to place the Rotary club in Manama [Manama (Bahrain)] under the administration of the club in Tehran
• HMG’s statement on the dispute at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• Arab press comment in Lebanon and Kuwait on the dispute; and the mention of the dispute on BBC Arabic
• Contact and exchange of gifts and funds between Fujairah and Iran
• HM Embassy in Tehran’s discussions with Iranian Senator Abbas Massoudi on the dispute