A legal study on the historic challenge between Iran and Britain about authority over Bahrain

In this article the author proves that Bahrain has been a part of Persian land since the Achamenids era and has always been a Persian state, based on existing documents and legal international arguments around Persian authority over the island of Bahrain before its independence from Iran in 1971. Of course, it should be mentioned that after an interruption (1507-1622) during which the colonial Portuguese took the control of Bahrain at the time of Safavid Shah Abbas, Persian dominance on Bahrain continued ever after despite different domestic developments in Persian main land. In 1783 Al Khalifa family from the tribe of Bani-atoob in Najd desert attacked Bahrain and conquered it, however, immediately after seizure, they identified the higher authority of Persia and just like the other local semi-independent governors inside the Persian Empire and based on the historic tradition in this empire accepted Persian authority over Bahrain. The evidence of Al Khalifa subordination to Persian government are exposed in a wide range including rising the Persian flag, obeying the commands, and showing obedience by writing to the Persian government. It is only after the rise of Sheik Issa Ben Ali Al Khalifa to power by the help of the British in 1869 when the Persian authority on Bahrain is interrupted. However, this interrupt was not based on international legal procedures and was totally illegitimate. Persian government, as historic owner of Bahrain, had never conceded or ignored her authority over Bahrain. There was no riot or rise against the Persian government and even no campaign to seize this land by foreigners. There was also no government in Bahrain and this island never became independent from Persia and claimed to be an independent country. The story was impeding Persian authority over this island by the British colonial military power. As the legal government of Bahrain Island, Persia had never accepted British authority over it and the Persian government has rejected any means of British authority. So, there was no government as “Bahrain Government” in this island until Iran accepted its independence in 1970 and the British could never find any legitimacy over this island.