IOR/L/PS/12/3813

The file concerns the affairs of subjects of Bahrein [Bahrain] in Persia [Iran], and the affairs of the 'Persian' community (also referred to as the 'Holis') in Bahrain.

The main correspondents are HM Representative, Tehran; HM Consul for Khuzistan; HM Vice-Consul, Mohammerah; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and the Political Agent, Bahrain.

In terms of the affairs of Bahrainis in Iran, the papers, dated 1933-35, cover the alleged oppression of Bahrainis in Iran by the Iranian Government; the conscription of Bahrainis by the Iranian Government; discussion (between the India Office, the Foreign Office, the Government of India, and the Political Resident) of whether the British Government should make an official protest to the Iranian authorities over the treatment of Bahrainis; the difficulty posed by the Iranian Government's claim to sovereignty over Bahrain; the question of dual nationality; petitions of complaint from Bahrainis; and discussion of whether the British should implement retaliatory measures.

In terms of the affairs of the 'Persian' community in Bahrain, the papers, dated 1940, cover: the support of the 'Persian' community for the Germans in the Second World War, and consequent unease on the part of the Ruler of Bahrain; the suggestion by the Political Agent, Bahrain that internment should be considered for persons suspected of pro-German, or at least anti-British and anti-Bahrain Government sympathies; and a letter from the Political Resident to the Government of India, commenting on the complex nature of politics in Bahrain (folios 7-9).

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.