iran, britain and sheikh khaz’al

during late qajar era, khorramshahr has gradually turned to an important center in iran’s economic and political sector. situated close to basra and on the other hand at the confluence of the karun river and arvand rud, near the persian gulf, navigability on this waterway that the city is situated on its banks and its easy accessibility to persian gulf, the increasing importance of oil issues, as well as the britain presence in the region and its' interests , were all considered as the main reasons why the case of this part of iran had been taken into the british economic and political agenda. iran’s efforts to its seaports’ affairs such as establishing custom posts, passport checking offices and southern ports agency were all evidences of authority's intention to keep its rule and presence in the region, however, sheikh khaz’al rule in khuzistan initiated disputes and conflicts between newly-established bodies of khuzestan on behalf of the government of iran and him, and also his protector, britain. in this paper the relations between these three players and the course of events has been studied.