An Analysis of the Process of Britain's Gaining Control over the Persian Gulf (From Mid-Safavid to the End of the First Half of the Qajar Dynasty: 1030 - 1264 AH'/1620 - 1847'AD')

The Persian Gulf has always been one of the very crucial, strategic, and commercial regions of the Middle East; therefore, it has undergone various changes throughout history. One of the important issues which is worth considering regarding the Persian Gulf is how colonialists, particularly the British, dominated its coastal area, especially the area under Iran's sovereignty. The present research investigates how Britain gained control over the shores of the Persian Gulf and weakened Iran's political power, from mid-Safavid to the beginning of Nassir al-Din Shah's reign (1030 – 1264 'AH'). The main aim of this research is to investigate how local tribes and Arabs came to power in the Persian Gulf and how Britain's policy helped them to have control over the region.