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

This file concerns the disputed Abu Musa and Tunb Islands (which are held by Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah respectively but claimed by Iran) and attempts to reach a settlement on this dispute before the imminent British military withdrawal from the Gulf. It contains correspondence relating to:

• Discussions on the disputed islands between British officials and the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and other Iranian dignitaries
• A request from Sharjah for access to the Foreign Office archive in order to make a historical case for possession of Abu Musa
• Iranian protests against a BBC broadcast on the dispute and coverage of the dispute in the Iranian press
• Contingency defence plans in case of a foreign attempt to occupy the islands
• Possible compromise solutions to the dispute, such as leasing the islands to Iran, ‘blurring sovereignty’ or creating a trusteeship; and proposals from the US
• Iran’s offers to the Sheikhdoms of financial aid and shared oil revenues while insisting on garrisoning the islands
• The positions of the United Arab Republic, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the other Gulf States
• The prospect of the dispute being raised at the UN if Iran seized the islands; and the problems a forcible acquisition of territory would create for Arab-Iranian relations, with Palestine in mind
• A simultaneous dispute concerning an oil concession, involving Umm Al Quwain, Buttes Gas and Oil Company and Occidental Petroleum Corporation, which complicates the island dispute
• The police forces on the islands, which Iran insists must be removed
• The formation of a union of Gulf States, which is imperilled by Iran’s steadfast opposition while there remains no settlement on the islands, as well as Bahrain’s plans to pursue independent sovereign statehood
• A meeting of the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in Ankara, Turkey
• Historical and legal inquiries into the sovereignty of the islands
• The Personal Representative of the Foreign Secretary Sir W H T Luce’s shuttle diplomacy and efforts to negotiate a settlement on the islands and the broader future of the region
• The prospect of the Rulers of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah requesting Arab or even Soviet Union protection
• A draft statement prepared by HMG for the Ruler of Sharjah announcing that Iranian forces will arrive on Abu Musa but that administration will continue as before and that Iran in return will assist in development projects in Sharjah
• A meeting between the Shah and the King of Saudi Arabia Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
• Intelligence gathering on the islands
• Iran’s assertion that various foreign governments support its claims.