Bahrain's Independence: Breaking Free From Iranian Rule

Bahrain, a small island country in West Asia, has a long history of foreign rule and influence. In 1971, it declared independence from the British Empire, which had been the dominant colonial power in the region. However, prior to British rule, Bahrain was under Persian (Iranian) rule for centuries, with the Safavid dynasty ruling the islands from 1602 to 1717. The Persian claim to Bahrain was relinquished by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1970, and the two countries signed a demarcation agreement that year. Bahrain has been independent since 15 August 1971, and has since faced tensions with Iran due to geopolitical issues and differing interpretations of Islam.

The UN's role in Bahrain's independence

The road to Bahrain's independence was a long and complex one, involving the British, the Iranians, and the United Nations. In 1868, Bahrain became a British protectorate territory, and subsequent agreements in 1880 and 1892 solidified this status. However, the people of Bahrain desired independence and chafed under British rule, with the first revolt against the British occurring in 1895.

In 1965, Iran and Britain began dialogues to determine their borders in the Persian Gulf, including the dispute over dominion of Bahrain. However, these talks broke down due to extensive differences. Eventually, it was agreed that the United Nations would play a pivotal role in resolving the issue.

As a result of the UN referendum, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 278 on 11 May 1970. This resolution, along with the Shah of Iran's desire to end territorial disputes with the British, led to Iran renouncing its claim to Bahrain in the same month. The British revoked their special agreements with Bahrain in August 1971, allowing Bahrain to declare itself fully independent on 15 August 1971. On 29 August 1971, Bahrain and Iran established diplomatic ties.

Following its independence, Bahrain joined the United Nations as a Member State in 1971 and has since been an active participant in various UN councils, including the Human Rights Council and the Economic and Social Council. The UN provides policy, advisory, and programmatic support to Bahrain across various sectors, such as sustainable management of natural resources, energy efficiency, and climate resilience.

Iran's claim to Bahrain

In the 17th century, Iranian forces defeated the Portuguese and occupied the Bahrain archipelago for several centuries. The Bani Utbah tribe, led by Al Khalifa, invaded the territory in 1783, expelling the Iran-installed governor. However, the Al Khalifa, the ruling family of Bahrain since the 18th century, has demonstrated loyalty to Iran on numerous occasions, especially during disputes with the British in the 19th century, by raising the Iranian flag on official buildings.

In 1860, Sheikh Mohammad Ben Khalifeh wrote a letter to the Iranian ruler, Nasseredian Shah, declaring himself, his brother, all members of Al Khalifa, and the people of Bahrain as Iranian subjects. He also requested direct guidance and protection from the Iranian government against British pressure. However, Iran was unable to protect Bahrain from British aggression, and in 1861, Bahrain fell under British rule and protection.

In 1923, Iran renewed its claim over Bahrain, and in 1927, Reza Shah demanded the return of Bahrain from the Allied Nations Community. In the 1950s, Iran passed a bill to announce Bahrain as its 14th province, but this had no impact on the legal status of the Arab-majority archipelago. In 1969, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, agreed to a UN-sponsored opinion poll to decide Bahrain's fate. The UN survey found that the people of Bahrain preferred independence, and Iran recognised and accepted this outcome. On 11 May 1970, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 278, and Bahrain officially became independent.

The Bahraini independence survey

Historical Background

Bahrain, a small island nation in the Persian Gulf, has a long and complex history that dates back to ancient times. The islands that comprise Bahrain were part of the "Dilmun culture" two thousand years before the Common Era and were on the fringes of Iranian territory during the Achaemenid Empire. Throughout history, Bahrain has been influenced by various civilisations, including the Arabs, Portuguese, and Persians.

The Road to Independence

In the 1960s, many countries in the Persian Gulf region began seeking independence from colonial powers, and Bahrain was no exception. The Al Khalifa royal family had ruled Bahrain since 1820, and the kingdom became a British protectorate in 1861. However, Iran had also occupied Bahrain at various times and continued to claim sovereignty over the islands. The Shah of Iran argued that he had a stronger historical claim to Bahrain than the Al Khalifa family.

The United Nations Intervention

In 1969, the British and Iranian governments agreed to involve the United Nations (UN) in resolving the dispute over Bahrain's sovereignty. This decision was influenced by the Shah's desire to end territorial disputes before the British withdrawal from the Persian Gulf in 1971. The UN conducted a survey, or referendum, in Bahrain in March 1970, to assess the will of the Bahraini people. The overwhelming majority of Bahrainis expressed their desire for independence and sovereignty, as stated in Paragraph 57 of the UN report.

Resolution and Independence

Based on the results of the UN survey, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 278 on May 11, 1970, recognising Bahrain's right to independence. The Iranian government accepted the resolution, and the Iranian Parliament renounced its claim to Bahrain. On August 14, 1971, Bahrain officially gained independence from Britain, and diplomatic ties were established between Bahrain and Iran.

Post-Independence Relations

Despite the resolution of the sovereignty dispute, tensions between Bahrain and Iran persisted. In recent years, there have been accusations of Iranian interference in Bahrain's internal affairs, and some Iranian officials have provocatively laid claims to Bahrain, causing regional tensions. Bahrain's independence and its relationship with Iran continue to be a sensitive issue for both countries.

The Shah's decision to renounce the claim

The decision of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to renounce Iran's claim to Bahrain was the culmination of a series of events that began in the late 1800s when Bahrain became a British protectorate. In 1968, the British government announced its intention to end treaty relationships with the Persian Gulf sheikdoms, including Bahrain. This prompted Bahrain to initially join other states under British protection in an effort to form a union of Arab emirates. However, by 1971, the sheikhdoms had not agreed on the terms of the union, leading Bahrain to declare itself fully independent on August 15, 1971.

The Pahlavi dynasty, which ruled Iran at the time, had made repeated attempts to reclaim sovereignty over Bahrain. Both Reza Shah Pahlavi and his son, Mohammad Reza Shah, negotiated with the British on several occasions but failed to regain control. Despite these efforts, Bahrain remained under British rule until the United Kingdom's decision to end its protectorate in the 1970s.

In March 1970, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi abandoned Iran's claim to Bahrain, and the two countries signed a demarcation agreement. This decision was influenced by a United Nations survey and subsequent UN Security Council Resolution 278, passed on May 11, 1970, recognizing Bahrain's independence. The Shah's announcement during a trip to India in 1969 also played a role, as he emphasized that Iran would not use force to annex Bahrain.

The Shah's decision to renounce Iran's claim to Bahrain was met with mixed reactions. Supporters of the monarchy argued that Bahrain had already been outside Iran's control for over 150 years and that there was no longer an organic connection between the two countries. They also believed that Iran would have had to resort to war to reclaim Bahrain, which the Shah was opposed to. However, critics, including Professor Nader Entessar, attributed the decision to the Shah's character as a weak and indecisive leader, particularly during times of crisis.

The impact of the Shah's decision extended beyond the separation of Bahrain. It eroded Iran's geopolitical influence in the region and affected its desired image as a regional or global leader. Additionally, the decision sparked criticism and propaganda campaigns from the Iranian regime, which blamed the Pahlavi dynasty for "losing Bahrain." This dynamic illustrates the complex political and historical factors that influenced the Shah's decision and its aftermath, shaping the relationship between Iran and Bahrain.

Bahrain's independence from Britain

Bahrain's journey to independence from Britain was a long and complex process, spanning nearly two centuries and involving various regional powers.

The island nation of Bahrain, located in the southern Persian Gulf, has a rich and tumultuous history. In 1783, the Bani Utbah tribe led by Al Khalifa invaded Bahrain, which was then a dependency of the Persian Empire. The Al Khalifa dynasty faced numerous external and internal threats over the following centuries but managed to maintain control of the island. During this period, Bahrain was under continuous threats from regional powers such as Oman, Wahhabis, Ottomans, and Persians, who all controlled it for brief periods.

The British first became involved in Bahrain in the early 19th century. In 1820 and 1861, Britain signed peace treaties with Bahrain, acknowledging the Al Khalifa as its legitimate rulers. However, the British also gave Persia a claim over Bahrain, which it repeatedly invoked. In 1868 and 1892, through a series of agreements, Bahrain became a British protectorate, with its defence and foreign relations falling under British control.

During the first half of the 20th century, Britain implemented a series of administrative reforms in Bahrain, aiming to modernise the country's bureaucracy, education, and economy. These reforms were met with mixed reactions, with the Shia population generally supporting them while the Sunni tribes and parts of the ruling family opposed them. The discovery of oil in 1932 also brought significant economic and social changes to the island, leading to the decline of traditional industries such as pearl diving and palm cultivation.

In the late 1960s, the British government announced its decision to end treaty relationships with the Persian Gulf sheikdoms, including Bahrain. This announcement prompted Bahrain to declare itself fully independent on 15 August 1971, marked by the signing of a friendship treaty with Britain. The United Nations had also conducted a survey of the Bahraini population, which showed their overwhelming desire for independence. Despite gaining independence from Britain, Bahrain continued to face tensions and disputes with its neighbours, particularly Iran, over sovereignty and territorial claims.

While Bahrain does not officially celebrate the anniversary of its independence from Britain, the event remains a significant milestone in the country's history, marking the beginning of its journey as a sovereign nation.

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