Iranian claims to Persian Gulf islands

This file contains correspondence relating to:

• Iranian claims to the islands of Sirri, Bu Musa [Abu Musa] and Tunb. There are signs that Iran is planning to revive these claims, as the islands could contain oil. The Iranian Prime Minister has spoken of pursuing this claim through the expansion of Iranian influence on the islands. British direct interest in the islands is limited to the maintenance of the lighthouse on Tunb, but it is considered that Tunb belongs to the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Musa and Sirri to the Ruler of Sharjah (although Sirri has been occupied de facto by Iran since 1887). The sovereignty of the islands would in turn affect the allocation of seabed resources in the Gulf (1)
• The response that should be made to the renewed Iranian claim. It is suggested that HMG's continuing obligation to protect the Trucial Sheikhdoms should be made clear to Iran, and that the Rulers of Sharjah and of Ras Al Khaimah should maintain the appearances of their sovereignty over the islands (2)
• A complaint made earlier in the year by the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, that the Ras Al Khaimah flag, along with the flagpole, on Little Tunb Island had been pulled down. It is suggested that the Royal Navy ensure that the frequency of patrols in the vicinity of the islands is maintained, and that they also make occasional landings (3)
• Discussions between D A H Wright, the British Ambassador to Tehran, and the Iranian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, regarding the question of the Gulf islands. Wright asserted that there could be no change in the British policy, and the Prime Minister gave an assurance that Iran would take no further action without giving due warning (4-5)
• A comment by Abbas Aram the Iranian Foreign Minister that one of the Sheikhs was now flying his flag permanently over one of the islands. It also contains comments on whether news of oil exploration on or offshore of Abu Musa will provoke a protest from the Iranian Government (6)
• The question of whether to reserve the de jure rights of the Ruler of Sharjah to the Island of Sirri, in spite of the fact that it has been administered by Iran since 1887 (7)
• An account of an oral protest made by the Foreign Minister of Iran against the activities of an oil company about six miles offshore of Abu Musa (8)
• A request that HMS Bastion call at Abu Musa in response to reports that forty Iranian soldiers will arrive there soon (9)
• Details of an oral protest, lodged by the Foreign Minister of Iran, about the activities of the oil company Mecom Oil offshore of Abu Musa (10).