Iranian policy in Persian Gulf

This file relates to Iran’s policy in the Gulf, and its relationship with the Arab States. It contains briefs, records of meetings and correspondence concerning:

• Iranian immigration in the Gulf and the demography of Iranian populations in the Gulf States (1)
• The Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s visit to the UK, and his meeting with the Foreign Secretary Michael Stewart. The issues discussed include the disputed islands in the Gulf (Sirri, Abu Musa and the Tunbs) and the median line between Iran and the Gulf States (3-5)
• The acceptance of the Rulers of Bahrain, Qatar and the Trucial States that agreement with Iran on the median line is needed (6)
• The associate membership of Bahrain in UN specialist agencies and the impact of this on Anglo-Iranian relations (7)
• The Anglo-Iranian bilateral talks with the Shah and the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aram. The issues discussed include the median line, Bahrain, arms smuggling, discrimination against Iranians in the Gulf, subversion, British exports to Iran, Kuwaiti-Iranian relations, Iraqi-Iranian relations, the Kurds and the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) (7-12, 21, 26)
• The Iranian view on the possible future union of Sheikhdoms including Bahrain (13, 17, 19-20)
• The Iranian complaints about the use of nomenclature on the Gulf, and whether it should be called Persian or Arabian. It includes issues over the BBC coverage of the region, the Arabian Gulf Currency Agreement and a speech by Prime Minister Harold Wilson. It also includes HMG’s instructions on the nomenclature of their offices in the region; the issue of postal addresses; and Iranian sensitivity over the using the name ‘Arabistan’ when referring to Kurdistan (14-16, 18-19, 24, 28, 29, 34)
• HMG and the Bank of England’s efforts to persuade the Gulf Rulers to change the name of their currency agreement. It also includes discussions on the possibility of a visit by the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum to Iran to meet the Shah over the issue (22-23, 25, 28, 29-30)
• The visit of Minister of State George Thomson to Iran (29, 31, 35)
• The idea that Prince Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia may use his good offices to modify the Shah’s attitude towards Bahrain (33, 36).