‘File 28/30 War. Hostilities in Iran’

Content

The file comprises correspondence and papers produced in response to Britain’s involvement in the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran, which began on 25 August 1941. The file’s principal correspondents are the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior), the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain (Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban), and the Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain (Captain Roy Douglas Metcalfe).

The file includes:

• information from the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. to the Political Agents in the Gulf, dated 26 August 1941, on the response amongst the Persian community in Bahrain to events in Iran, with instruction to the Government of Bahrain that Persian schools in Bahrain should remain open (ff 2-4);
• instructions from the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. to the Political Agents in the Gulf, dated 2 September 1941, to keep watch on dhows arriving from the Iranian coast, lest they be harbouring escaping Axis nationals or Iraqi/Palestinian rebels (ff 6-8). The Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave) reports that Iranian nationals were intercepted at Bahrain on a vessel coming from Qattar [Qatar] (ff 9-10). A subsequent report from the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , dated 24 September 1941, suggests that more than one hundred Germans are believed to have fled southwards from Tehran, some of whom may end up in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (ff 21-24);
• a demi-official letter from the Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain to the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , dated 4 September 1941, related to an apparent relaxation of travel restrictions for Iranians in Bahrain, with a suggestion that there are ‘16,000 foreigners’ now in Bahrain (ff 12-13);
• a report from the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent at Sharjah of a letter containing anti-British sentiment posted on the gates of the market in Dubai, signed by ‘a number of sacrificing volunteers’. The report encloses draft and final English translations of the letter, as well as a transcribed copy of the Arabic (ff 15-18);
• a report from the British Consul at Bushire, dated 30 September 1941, of the declaration of martial law in Shiraz (f 25);
• a copy of the text of the Treaty of Alliance, with annexes, signed between Iran, the USSR and Britain on 29 January 1942 (ff 32-36);
• the file notes contain a list of detailed points discussed between the Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain on 26 September 1941, arising from the Anglo-Soviet invasion (arrest and surveillance of suspects; applications from Iranians for Bahrain nationality; imports and exports to/from Iran; export of currency; travel documents; mail; arms and ammunition) (ff 37-40).

Extent and format

1 file (41 folios)

Arrangement

The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 37-42) mirror the chronological arrangement.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 43; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-36; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 37-42; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/2/722

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 28/30

History of this record

Date(s)

26 Aug 1941-29 Jan 1942 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Military operationsSubversive activitiesRefugeesAnglo-Soviet invasion of Iran (1941)

Places

DubaiIran

People & organisations

Political ResidentBahrain Political Agency, Assistant Political Agent

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Cite this record in your research

‘File 28/30 War. Hostilities in Iran’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/722, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/node/9444> [accessed 24 December 2024]

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