Bahrain's problems with Iran

This file relates to the dispute between Bahrain and Iran in the period of December 1968 and January 1969, discussed between HM Embassy in Tehran, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, various Political Agencies in the Gulf, the UK’s Mission to the UN and the Iranian Foreign Ministry. It contains correspondence concerning:

• Meeting in Geneva between officials from Bahrain and Iran
• Talks with Under-Secretary General of the UN Ralph Bunche about bringing the dispute to the UN; and debate on a public approach or a private appeal to the Secretary General U Thant
• Issue of the Iranian desire for a plebiscite in Bahrain
• Meetings between HM Ambassador in Iran Sir D A H Wright the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iranian Senator Abbas Massoudi, and the Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Khosrow Afshar on the dispute
• Possible mediation of Kuwait between Iran and Bahrain if the issue is brought to the UN
• HMG’s sounding of the Bahrainis during the progress of negotiations and bringing the dispute to the UN
• The Shah’s statement to the press in New Delhi; the international press coverage and reaction to the speech; and HMG’s decision to pursue this new opening in dialogue
• Desire of the Iranians for the next round of secret negotiations to take place in Paris in January 1969