Win some, lose some: SAVAK’s role in shaping the Shah’s position on Bahrain and the disputed Islands

This article argues that SAVAK, Iran’s civilian intelligence service under the Shah, played an important yet underexplored role in shaping Iran’s claims over Bahrain and the disputed islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs. Existing scholarship has focused on the Shah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Royal Court figures such as Asadollah Alam, while neglecting SAVAK’s involvement. Drawing on archival research and interviews with former intelligence officials and diplomats, the article shows how SAVAK’s role expanded from intelligence-gathering and political assessment to direct involvement in diplomatic negotiations.