Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 225 Winning Over the Arabs
While the Shah inspected the east, his ministers continued to implement his policies in Tehran. The current objective is war against the Ottomans. Although Iran suffered significant losses in the war against Russia, the best opportunity for war against the Ottomans lies within the next one to two years.

Therefore, preparations were underway, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer was even considering resigning in protest. However, under Shah's insistence, he had no choice but to obediently work and save funds.

Amir bore the heaviest burden, needing to personally oversee everything from domestic to foreign affairs. To minimize Iranian losses in the war against the Ottomans, he had to secure the support of others.

While some Arabs are pro-Iranian, a significant number are still pro-Ottoman. Amir's task is to win over these people, even though they are Sunni Muslims.

Sheikh Sabah himself came to Tehran, representing the most powerful Arab tribe in Kuwait. His choice determined to whom this force would pledge allegiance.

"You must be tired from your journey to Tehran. Please have some coffee."

Coffee from Saigon with Somali sugar—it truly had a unique flavor. Salah looked at the coffee, then at Amir, and knew that negotiations had begun.

He first laid out his conditions: "As you know, Kuwait has been independent since our ancestors founded the country. If your country can guarantee our rights, then we can support you in the war against the Ottomans."

He thought this was the best Kuwait could accept, but it was unacceptable to Amir, or rather, to the Shah behind Amir.

"Regarding this, I know your country is facing some difficulties recently. The Ottomans have been trying to annex your country. Why not just join our country directly?"

"What?" Sabah couldn't believe it. He's going to form an alliance with you, and you're telling him to merge? Are you kidding me?

"Our country is well aware of your country's difficulties and the hardships you have endured in fighting the Ottomans. If the two countries can unite, then the strength to resist the Ottomans can be maximized."

Furthermore, Iran will assume responsibility for Kuwait's defense and provide economic support. Would you be willing to accept these terms?

"You! I originally thought your country was a peaceful ally, but I didn't expect you to be just like the Ottomans."

“We are not like the Ottomans. The Ottomans had no power, while Iran can offer better conditions.”

Of course, I won't give up on my goals.

Sabah was well aware that many tribes, including Bahrain, had benefited economically after aligning themselves with Iran, but Kuwait was different. Having been a nation for over 120 years, he found the idea of ​​unification unacceptable.

But some of the other party's threatening words made him tremble with fear, and now he could only use his last trump card.

"I have no doubt about the gap between my country and yours, but has your country considered whether Britain would agree to Kuwait joining Iran?"

Yes, Kuwait's trump card was the British. In 1776, the British East India Company moved its offices from Basra to Kuwait, bringing prosperity to the country. However, in order to achieve autonomy, Kuwait had to maintain good relations with the Ottomans, and even recognize Ottoman suzerainty.

The Ottoman Pasha in Basra clashed repeatedly with the Kuwaiti sheikh and hoped to regain control of the port, but this was not achieved under British pressure, and the Ottoman army did not enter Kuwait.

“I see. But as far as I know, Britain is currently preoccupied with matters in India…” Amir paused, looking at Sabah, trying to discern a different expression on his face. However, the other man was a cunning old fox; he wouldn't easily reveal his thoughts.

"So what? Does Britain want to see this?"

The chief didn't know how effective this trump card would be, but it was better than surrendering.

Amir shook his head. "If only it were that simple, we could all seek asylum. Are we really going to live our whole lives under the protection of the British?"

What kind of faith is this, that of Allah's followers protected by Christians?

"shut up!"

Sabah didn't want to hear this; he didn't want others to say he was being protected. But he had no choice. The British were too powerful, and he didn't want to be annexed by the Ottomans, so he had to turn to them.

"In fact, you and I both know that the British protection is just a facade; what they really want is our land and wealth. We cannot let them succeed."

Besides, you're probably aware of the situation with the southern tribes, right? Since there's a way to make money together, why not join forces?

Sabah had no idea where those tribes got so much money. He only knew they had signed some agreement with Iran, and the annual tax revenue allowed them to afford more luxuries. How could this not make him envious? But it also meant that the tribes had to relinquish their right to defend themselves and transfer national powers such as security and diplomacy to Iran.

However, compared to money, these seem insignificant. The Sammae tribe, which defeated the Saudi family, secured Iranian investment by mortgaging their land and other rights, and now earns £6.1 annually. Even the King of Bahrain receives £4000 annually.

This amount of money is at least ten times less than their previous income, yet besides investing the money in local development, their quality of life has improved year by year. If it's profitable, doing this isn't a bad idea.

Amir seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, saying, "The Shah understands Your Excellency's concerns about Kuwait very well, but the region won't develop if things continue like this. It would be better to have Iran help Kuwait, and Kuwait would support Iran. This would be a win-win situation."

Sabah felt he had too much information today, so he left first. Amir wasn't in a hurry either; as long as the benefits offered were substantial enough, he didn't believe the other party wouldn't be tempted.

Only by being willing to spend money can Iran create a favorable environment and also gain more allies. The Ottomans disliked the Arabs, and the Arabs disliked the Ottomans; let Iran handle that.

While the conservatism of religions has led to a strong desire in various countries to establish secular governments, in the Middle East, religion is the only glue that can unite different tribes. When people in different regions encounter trouble, they turn to their tribes rather than the government.

To put it another way, the geographical features of the Middle East also determine that it is unlikely to build any effective national identity. It is a land of five seas and three continents, wide open to outsiders in all directions. To put it bluntly, it is a land of four wars. Regardless of who comes and occupies, whoever comes will take it. Maintaining a unified regime in such a place is a very thankless task.

Therefore, Arabs have always identified with their tribes. Preemptively establishing a national identity for Iran before an Arab national identity has fully formed is in their future interest.

(End of this chapter)