Bahrain's problems with Iran

This file relates to the dispute between Bahrain and Iran in October-November 1969, discussed between HM Embassies in Tehran and Kuwait, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, various Political Agencies in the Gulf and the UK’s Mission to the UN. It contains correspondence concerning:

• Amendments and drafts by the Bahrainis and Iranians to the order of procedure, the terms of reference, and the method of operation of the proposed UN Mission to Bahrain. It includes: the delivery of the drafts to the Under-Secretary General of the UN Ralph Bunche; his amendments, in particular the request for clarification of ‘the parties’ to the dispute; and the refusal of this because of Iran’s rejection of parity in the dispute with Bahrain
• Expected meeting of the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi with UN Secretary General U Thant
• Discussion between Foreign Secretary Michael Stewart and Defence Secretary Denis Healey, on various topics including the Gulf
• HMG’s representative to the UN Lord Caradon’s [Hugh Foot] talks with the Iranian Foreign Minister Ardeshir Zahedi on the crisis; and his talks with U Thant
• Articles published in Sawt Al Khalij by the Bahraini legal expert Dr Hussein Baharna on the Iranian claim to Bahrain
• Discussion between Iran and HMG over which should make the initial approach to the UN Secretary General
• Selection of the UN representative to be sent to Bahrain; the Iranian demand that they go straight to Bahrain; and the selection of V Winspeare Guiccardi for the role, including HMG’s wish to talk to him before the joint approach with the Iranians
• Bahraini upset over rumours about a speech by the Shah referring to ‘captured islands’
• Talks of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and other Abu Dhabi officials with officials from Bahrain