Territorial issues relating to the Persian Gulf Islands (Abu Musa and the Tunbs)

This file concerns the Iranian occupation of the Abu Musa and Tunb Islands, particularly the international reaction. It contains correspondence relating to:

• Statements by HMG, Iran, and various Arab governments on the issue of the islands; including condemnation of the Iranian occupation from Iraq, Libya (which blamed Britain and nationalised British Petroleum (BP) assets) and the People’s Democratic Republic of South Yemen; and more moderate reactions from Saudi Arabia and Egypt
• The Deputy Chairman of the Libyan Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) Abdessalam Jalloud’s visit to the Gulf and reports that Libya and Iraq are about to launch an attack on the islands to drive the Iranian forces out
• Strikes and anti-Iranian demonstrations in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Kuwait
• Parliamentary questions on the completion of the British military withdrawal from the Gulf and the issue of the islands
• Meetings of the Arab League, at which the nascent United Arab Emirates is admitted as a member and the issue of the islands is discussed against the backdrop of the Arab-Israeli conflict
• The agreement between Iran and Sharjah on the joint occupation of Abu Musa, with a map showing the dividing line
• Coverage of the Iranian occupation of the islands and the international response in the British, Arab and Iranian press
• A meeting of the UN Security Council called by Iraq, Libya, South Yemen and Algeria at which these powers condemn Iran’s actions and call for withdrawal; culminating in the deferment of the issue to a later date
• The fate of the policemen from the Tunb Islands imprisoned in Bandar Abbas, Iran and the question of compensation to the residents of Greater Tunb
• The challenges facing Anglo-Iranian and Anglo-Arab relations
• The Crown Prince of Ras Al Khayimah Shailh Khalid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi’s visit to Libya and meeting with Colonel Muammar Gadhafi regarding the Iranian occupation of the islands
• Historical documents requested by the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi in order to make a case for ownership of the Tunb Islands
• Ras Al Khaimah’s moves towards joining the nascent UAE and the possibility of further negotiations with Iran.