The Geopolitical Divide: Bahrain's Separation From Iran

Bahrain and Iran have had a strained relationship over the years, with Iran having a historic claim to Bahrain until 1970 when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi abandoned the claim. The two countries have had differing interpretations of Islam and relations with the Western world, with Iran being severely critical of Bahrain for hosting the United States Fifth Fleet. The separation of Bahrain from Iran can be attributed to the decline of Iran's Qajar dynasty and the discovery of oil, which led to increased British involvement in the region.

The Sasanian Empire's loss of Bahrain to the Arabs

The Sasanian Empire, also known as the Sasanian, Sasanid, or Sassanid Empire, was the last pre-Islamic Iranian empire. It was founded in 224 CE by Ardeshir I, a descendant of Sasan, and lasted until 651 CE when it was overthrown by the Arab Rashidun Caliphate. The Sasanian Empire was considered a highlight of Iranian civilization, with Zoroastrianism as one of its founding stones.

During the Sasanian Empire, there was a gradual encroachment of Arabs into Iranian territory, particularly in the southern regions of the Persian Gulf. This incursion was mounted when Shapour II, also known as Shapur II, was a child. As soon as Shapour II grew up, he decided to expel the Arabs from Iranian territories and pushed them into the depth of Arabia. However, this did not permanently resolve the issue as the Arabs continued to pose a threat to the Sasanian Empire.

The Sasanian Empire faced military campaigns by Arab armies that eventually led to its fall. The Arab armies that expanded from the depths of Arabia deserta in the seventh century were responsible for overrunning the Sasanian Empire. These military campaigns resulted in the conversion of the Sasanian population to Islam and the transformation of its culture and language. The fall of the Sasanian Empire is recalled as a national failure and the beginning of Iran's subordination to Islam and the Arabs.

Additionally, the decline of the Sasanian Empire itself contributed to its loss of Bahrain to the Arabs. The Sasanian Empire faced various issues such as financial troubles, a disgruntled populace, and a nobility that was in turmoil. The last Sasanian king, Yazdegerd III, was a boy at the mercy of his advisers and incapable of uniting the vast country, which had crumbled into small feudal kingdoms. The Sasanian Empire was further weakened by economic decline, heavy taxation, religious unrest, and rigid social stratification.

In summary, the Sasanian Empire's loss of Bahrain to the Arabs was a result of the gradual encroachment of Arabs, military campaigns by Arab armies, and the internal decline of the Sasanian Empire, which ultimately led to its fall and the Islamization of Iran.

Portuguese invasion of Bahrain in 1522

The Portuguese invasion of Bahrain in 1522 was part of a series of conflicts known as the Portuguese-Safavid Wars or Persian-Portuguese Wars, which lasted from 1507 to 1625. These wars were fought between the Portuguese Empire and Safavid Iran, with the Kingdom of Hormuz supporting the Portuguese and the English aiding the Safavids.

The Portuguese invasion of Bahrain specifically took place in the context of the 1521 invasion of Bahrain, which ended the Jabrid rule over the islands in the Persian Gulf. The Jabrid ruler was nominally a vassal of Hormuz but had refused to pay the demanded tribute, prompting the invasion under the command of the Portuguese conqueror, António Correia. Most of the combat during this campaign was carried out by Portuguese troops, while the Hormuzi admiral, Reis Xarafo, oversaw the action.

The Portuguese ruled Bahrain through a series of Hormuzi governors following their invasion. However, the Sunni Hormuzi governors were not popular with Bahrain's Shia population, leading to religious disadvantages and, eventually, rebellion. In one instance, rebels crucified the Hormuzi governor.

The Portuguese rule over Bahrain ended in 1602 when the governor of Bahrain, Rukuneddin Masud, fearing the Portuguese-backed governor of Hormuz, sought help from Allahverdi Khan, the governor of the Safavid province of Fars. Allahverdi Khan captured Bahrain with the Persian army, expelling the Portuguese.

Iran's recognition of Bahrain's independence in 1970

In 1968, the British government announced its decision to end treaty relationships with the Persian Gulf sheikdoms, including Bahrain. In 1969, the British and Iranian governments agreed to approach the United Nations (UN) to resolve the dispute over Bahrain's sovereignty.

In March 1970, the Iranian government, led by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, requested that the UN Secretary-General assess the will of the Bahraini people regarding their sovereignty. The UN Secretary-General, U Thant, accepted the task and designated Signor Vittorio Winspeare Guicciardi as his personal envoy to Bahrain.

Guicciardi conducted a two-week-long survey in Bahrain, during which he met with leaders of different groups and classes of people. The survey, sometimes referred to as a "referendum", took the form of a UN poll asking islanders if they preferred independence or Iranian control.

Guicciardi's report, published as UN Document Number 9772, concluded that the "overwhelming majority" of Bahrainis wished to be recognised as "an independent country of complete sovereignty, with the freedom of determining their relation with other nations". This report was presented to the UN Security Council, which unanimously passed Resolution 278 on 11 May 1970, recognising Bahrain's independence.

The Iranian parliament debated and accepted the UN report and resolution by 14 May 1970, renouncing its claim to Bahrain. This decision was influenced by the Shah's desire to end territorial disputes with the British before their withdrawal from the Persian Gulf in 1971.

On 29 August 1971, Bahrain officially declared its independence from the United Kingdom and established diplomatic ties with Iran.

Bahrain's crackdown on its Shia population

The monarchy has marginalised the Shia population, preventing them from working in certain sectors of the government, and justifying this discrimination by claiming Shia loyalties rest with Iran. Shia tradition requires laymen to choose a senior scholar, follow his rulings, and pay him alms. These ayatollahs largely live in Iraq and Iran, making Bahrain's Shia susceptible to charges of dual loyalties.

The Bahraini government has also been accused of attempting to diminish the Shia majority by promoting the immigration of Sunni Muslims and granting them citizenship. The government has extended citizenship to as many as 100,000 Sunnis from Yemen, Syria, Jordan, and Pakistan, offering them employment in the security services. This has enraged unemployed Shia and local Sunnis who struggle to find work.

In 2011, Shia activists prompted the "Day of Rage", with protesters demonstrating against the Al Khalifa government. This led to a widespread wave of actions against Shia, including the detention and torture of men, women, and children, and the destruction of Shia mosques and cemeteries.

The Bahraini monarchy's ability to marginalise the legislature and its drive for reform have further vexed the Shia. After gaining independence in 1971, Bahrain established a parliament and promulgated a constitution ensuring basic rights and equality. However, when parliament demanded greater transparency in government budget distribution and sought to stem the rising authoritarianism of the ruling family, tensions erupted, leading to the dissolution of parliament in 1975.

The current political system in Bahrain does not permit a popular Shia voice, and Shia anger has been fuelled by the monarchy's failure to implement meaningful reforms. The Shia desire change, but there is no unanimous view on how to achieve it. While some Shia parties have joined the political process, others want to take control by force and advocate overthrowing the regime.

Bahrain's peace treaty with Israel

The peace treaty was signed at the White House in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2020, by Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The signing ceremony was held alongside the Israel-UAE peace accord, which had been announced on August 13, 2020.

The agreement between Bahrain and Israel aimed to normalize diplomatic, commercial, security, and other relations between the two countries. In their joint statement, Trump, Netanyahu, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain emphasized that the accord was a "historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East." They also highlighted the potential for increased stability, security, and prosperity in the region.

The Bahraini king's senior advisor, Khalid al-Khalifa, stated that the normalization deal "sends a positive and encouraging message to the people of Israel," indicating that peace with the Palestinians would be in the best interest of both parties. However, the agreement was met with criticism from the Palestinian leadership, who saw it as a betrayal of their cause and rights.

The peace treaty between Bahrain and Israel is part of a broader diplomatic effort led by the Trump administration to integrate Israel into the Middle East and find common ground with nations that share concerns about Iran's influence in the region. This agreement, along with the UAE deal, represents a significant shift in the dynamics of the Middle East, with potential implications for regional stability and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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