IOR/R/15/6/250

This file covers internal politics in and around the Sultanate of Muscat Oman. Much of the correspondence concerns the extent of control (or lack thereof) exercised by the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] in the Omani interior. Related matters of discussion include the following: the evidence for the boundaries claimed by the Sultan along the Rub al Khali, and the question of whether Buraimi [Al Buraymī] forms part of his territory; the Sultan's relations with various tribes based near the Trucial shaikhdoms and his claims of authority over them; the views of Wilfred Patrick Thesiger on the situation in the Omani interior and the risk of parts of it falling under Saudi influence; the course of action to be taken by the British authorities regarding the Sultan and the tribal shaikhs.

The file features the following principal correspondents: the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent, Bahrain; the Political Officer, Sharjah; officials of the Foreign Office.