IOR/L/PS/12/3794

The file concerns reports of interference with Kuwaiti dhows by Iranian (also referred to as Persian) customs and naval authorities. The papers contain witness statements, letters of protest by the Shaikh of Koweit [Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, Ruler of Kuwait], reports, discussion of the incidents by British officials, and representations by HM Minister at Tehran (later HM Ambassador, Tehran) to the Government of Iran.

The papers concern four main incidents:

• The arrest of the nakhoda of a Kuwaiti dhow at Kharaj (also referred to as Kharg) Island [Jazīreh-ye Khārk], February 1934 - March 1937 (folios 160-178).
• The firing on a Kuwaiti dhow by an Iranian launch, near Lingah [Bandar-e-Lengeh], June 1936 - March 1937 (folios 132-158).
• The seizure of a Kuwaiti dhow by Iranian customs authorities at Qusbeh [Qoşbeh-ye Manī‘āt], February - April 1937 (folios 64-130).
• The seizure near Lingah of a Kuwaiti dhow (the Furat) outside Iranian territorial waters, by an Iranian naval sloop, thought to be HIMS Babr, February - May 1937 (folios 5-62).

Folios 72-110 consist of later correspondence, dated April 1947 - February 1948, also on the subject of interference by Iranian naval vessels with Kuwaiti dhows, which has been misfiled. A note on folio 3 states that the file 'seems to have got out of order'.

The file also contains significant correspondence from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent, Kuwait; and the British Consul, Kerman.

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.