Claims of Iran to disputed islands in Persian Gulf

This file is part of a sequence of files relating 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 and memoranda from November 1971 concerning a settlement for Abu Musa, via an exchange of letters between the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi and the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, allowing for the Iranian occupation of the islands. It includes reference to:

• An Iraqi proposal to send troops to the Gulf to prevent Iran seizing the islands by force; and the reluctance of most Arab States to become involved militarily
• Egypt's interest in events and its wish to be kept informed of developments by HMG
• An exchange of letters between Buttes Gas and Oil Company and the National Iranian Oil Company
• Arrangements for the Iranian occupation of the islands as part of the compromise settlement; the anticipated order of events, including the formation of the UAE; and the question of publicity and HMG keeping the Arab States informed
• Lobbying in the US by the Ruler of Sharjah's adviser Northcutt Ely and his Buttes colleague, ex-senator Thomas Henry Kuchel
• A conversation between W H T Luce and the Shah of Iran on 16 November
• Cuttings from the Guardian
• HMG's military contingency planning in the event of a threat of Arab occupation of the islands
• Anglo-Saudi Arabian relations and plans for Luce to visit King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz al Saud
• Conversations between Luce and the Ruler of Sharjah on 17-18 November
• The views of Peter E Wynn of Southport on Gulf policy and Taiwan, expressed to his constituent MP, Harold Soref; and HMG's historical instruction to its delegation at the UN to vote in favour of the so-called Albanian resolution regarding Chinese and Taiwanese representation
• The question of Iran giving financial assistance to Umm Al Quwain
• Maps of Abu Musa
• Concern about the likely reaction of the Arab nationalist press
• A meeting between Political Resident G G Arthur and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
• HMG's intention to allow Iran to occupy the Tunb Islands
• The proposed intervention of Camille Chamoun as a mediator
• A parliamentary question by Lord Brockway [Archibald Fenner Brockway]
• A last ditch attempt by the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi to work together with the Ruler of Sharjah
• Talks between J F Walker and the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
• The Iranian occupation of the Tunb Islands with four men from the Ras Al Khaimah Police Force killed or wounded.