Claims of Iran to islands in Persian Gulf

This file concerns debates around a political settlement for the Abu Musa and Tunb Islands, which are controlled by Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah respectively but claimed by Iran. It contains correspondence relating to:

• Proposed joint garrisoning of the islands without mention of sovereignty with draft agreements concerning the Tunbs
• Consultations with the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and Iranian officials concerning a settlement for the islands
• The positions of Abu Dhabi and Qatar on the issue of the islands
• Approaches to Saudi Arabia and the US to assist in reaching a settlement
• The attitude in the Arab world towards the possible Iranian occupation of the islands
• The effect of the dispute on the oil concessions of Occidental Petroleum and Buttes Gas and Oil Company in the waters around Abu Musa
• A note by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chiefs of Staff Committee on the strategic considerations concerning the Strait of Hormuz, with geographical notes on the islands and a map of the Strait
• The question of referring the dispute to a multilateral regional conference or international arbitration
• The formation of the Union of Arab Emirates, which the dispute threatens to undermine
• A draft Declaration by the Union of Arab Emirates on Security and Freedom of Navigation
• Iranian press commentary on the dispute
• The historical basis for Iran’s claim and research into the issue in the archives of British India
• The issue of the median line in the waters of the southern Gulf and a proposed conference to settle this question.