Claims of Iran to disputed islands in Persian Gulf

This file relates to Iran's claim to the Tunb Islands, disputed with Ras Al Khaimah, and to Abu Musa, disputed with Sharjah, in the Strait of Hormuz. It contains correspondence from January-March 1971 concerning the search for a solution to this dispute, including reference to:

• A request from the Israeli Ambassador for information on British policy regarding the disputed islands
• An enquiry from the Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs Ardeshir Zahedi regarding progress on the islands question
• A report of Soviet ships in the Gulf allegedly carrying Iraqi guerillas for a possible landing on the disputed islands
• Efforts to persuade the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi and the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi to enter negotiations with Iran over the islands
• The question of persuading Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to give support for HMG's policy on the islands dispute
• The meeting of W H T Luce with the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who has offered a settlement whereby Iran garrisons the islands, but each side continues its present view on sovereignty
• The question of Iraq's response to the UK's policy on the islands dispute
• The views of the Iranian Ambassador to the UK Amir Khosrow Afshar on the state of the islands dispute
• The need to brief the Commandant of the Ras Al Khaimah Police Force Trevor Bevan and the Commandant of the Sharjah Police Force Robert Burns on HMG's policy, as they are being consulted by the Rulers
• An Iranian request for Ras Al Khaimah to send an official message regarding the islands
• The Shah's statement of his intention to annex the islands if his settlement offer is not accepted and his refusal to support the Union of Arab emirates until the islands dispute is resolved
• A report of an Iranian naval vessel anchoring near the Tunbs with three Iranians landing
• Media coverage of the islands dispute, including articles in The Times, the Guardian, the Scotsman, the International Herald Tribune and the Washington Post
• A proposal that the US be asked to help persuade Iran to support the establishment of a union
• A report that a Ras Al Khaimah Mobile Force post has been placed on the Tunb Islands
• The visit of the Iranian Ambassador in Kuwait to the northern Trucial States to persuade them agree to a solution to the islands dispute.