Kourosh Ahmadi is an Iranian diplomat with 26 years of experience in the region and international organizations.

• Introduction 1. Pax Britannica in the Persian Gulf The British Rising Star. British Policy towards Iran 2. The Curzon Strategy. Growing Importance of the Persian Gulf and New Challenges In Search for a New Strategy. Abu Musa and the Tunbs. Long-Lasting Dispute between Iran and Britain. British General Policy of Expanding Control. World War I and its Aftermath 3. The Restoration of the Persian Gulf Autonomy and the Issue of the Three Islands The End of the Pax Britannica. Iran to Reclaim its "Natural" Position. Settling Outstanding Issues. The Arab Radicals Picking Up the Banner the British Dropped. Iran's Ascendancy in the Persian Gulf 4. Transitional Period. Regional Realignment Renewed Iraqi Interest in the Three Islands. Why did Iraq's Attempts Fail? 5. Confrontational Phase Iran's Diplomatic Overture and its Fate. Local Autonomy of the Persian Gulf in Danger. Contributing Factors: Shift and Realignment in the Arab World. A New Cycle of Activity on the Islands. Conclusion

Kourosh Ahmadi is an Iranian diplomat with 26 years of experience in the region and international organizations.

• Introduction 1. Pax Britannica in the Persian Gulf The British Rising Star. British Policy towards Iran 2. The Curzon Strategy. Growing Importance of the Persian Gulf and New Challenges In Search for a New Strategy. Abu Musa and the Tunbs. Long-Lasting Dispute between Iran and Britain. British General Policy of Expanding Control. World War I and its Aftermath 3. The Restoration of the Persian Gulf Autonomy and the Issue of the Three Islands The End of the Pax Britannica. Iran to Reclaim its "Natural" Position. Settling Outstanding Issues. The Arab Radicals Picking Up the Banner the British Dropped. Iran's Ascendancy in the Persian Gulf 4. Transitional Period. Regional Realignment Renewed Iraqi Interest in the Three Islands. Why did Iraq's Attempts Fail? 5. Confrontational Phase Iran's Diplomatic Overture and its Fate. Local Autonomy of the Persian Gulf in Danger. Contributing Factors: Shift and Realignment in the Arab World. A New Cycle of Activity on the Islands. Conclusion

Kourosh Ahmadi is an Iranian diplomat with 26 years of experience in the region and international organizations.

• Introduction 1. Pax Britannica in the Persian Gulf The British Rising Star. British Policy towards Iran 2. The Curzon Strategy. Growing Importance of the Persian Gulf and New Challenges In Search for a New Strategy. Abu Musa and the Tunbs. Long-Lasting Dispute between Iran and Britain. British General Policy of Expanding Control. World War I and its Aftermath 3. The Restoration of the Persian Gulf Autonomy and the Issue of the Three Islands The End of the Pax Britannica. Iran to Reclaim its "Natural" Position. Settling Outstanding Issues. The Arab Radicals Picking Up the Banner the British Dropped. Iran's Ascendancy in the Persian Gulf 4. Transitional Period. Regional Realignment Renewed Iraqi Interest in the Three Islands. Why did Iraq's Attempts Fail? 5. Confrontational Phase Iran's Diplomatic Overture and its Fate. Local Autonomy of the Persian Gulf in Danger. Contributing Factors: Shift and Realignment in the Arab World. A New Cycle of Activity on the Islands. Conclusion