Anti-smuggling policy of the Iranian government in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman during the reign of Reza Shah (1925-1941)

Following the transfer of power from Qajars to the Pahlavi, islands and ports on the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman witnessed unprecedented level of foreign trade. At the same time the smuggling goods into the land and illegal trade also increased sharply.

This paper reports a study of smuggling during the period of 1921-1941 and the policies adopted by the government to tackle it.

Findings are based on materials held at the National Library and Archives Organization (NLAI), including archival documents and newspapers.

In order to boost economic development, various aspects of smuggling in the region were considerd and policies adopted and successfully implemented to prevent illegal acitivies. As a result, the economic condition of the area improved gradually.