The new legislation will be of special interest to the Department
because of the claims now being asserted by the Persian Government
for sovereignty over the Islands of Bahrein.9
[Enclosure—Translation ]
Law Delimiting Coastal Waters and Controlling
Zone Voted on July 15, 1934
Chapter I. The Limit of Coastal Waters and
Controlling Zone
Article 1.—That portion of the sea at a
distance of six nautical miles from the lowest ebb-tide and
extending parallel therewith all along the coasts is considered
Persia’s coastal waters and everything in this zone above and
below the surface thereof belongs to Persia. Moreover, to
enforce certain laws and agreements relating to security,
defense and interests of the country and to naval traffic
control another zone known as the naval controlling zone over
which the Imperial Government has the right of control extends
within a distance of twelve nautical miles from the lowest
ebb-tide and parallel with the coast.
(Note: A nautical mile is 1852 meters.)
Article 2.—As to bays (small gulfs) the
border of littoral waters starts with a straight line extending
from one extremity of the mouth of the bay to the other. Should
the mouth of the bay exceed ten nautical miles in width the
coastal water line will be located at the nearest place where
the bay joins the sea with a width not exceeding ten nautical
miles.
In the case of seaports the limit of littoral waters begins with
a line located between the foremost fixed port structures in the
sea.
[Page 917]
Article 3.—Any island belonging to Persia
will have its own littoral waters with borders defined in the
manner provided in the first part of Article 1. In the case of
an archipelago, the islands forming it will be considered
tantamount to one island. Littoral waters of an archipelago will
be measured from islands farthest from the center of the
archipelago.
Chapter II. Conditions for Entry and
Anchorage of Foreign War Vessels in Persian Waters and the
Procedure Prescribed Therefor
Article 4.—Foreign war vessels and
submarines have the right of harmless passage in Persian
littoral waters provided they sail on the surface of the sea
unless said vessels belong to belligerent states in which case
state regulations and international rules governing war times
and respect of neutrality are enforced.
The conditions of passage of war vessels, which form the subject
of the first part of this article, will be determined by special
regulations with particular reference to number.
Article 5.—The conditions of anchorage of
foreign war vessels in Persian littoral waters will also be
defined by special regulations. Said vessels must observe
Persian laws and regulations in the waters forming the subject
of this law.
Article 6.—The Government can forbid the
passage and/or anchorage of foreign war vessels at certain
seaports or in parts of littoral waters in the interest of the
defense of the country or for other important reasons. Said
seaports and parts (waters) will be known as prohibited
zones.
Article 7.—On condition of reciprocity
foreign war vessels are exempt from customs examination. Customs
duties will be collected only on merchandise unloaded at the
coast for purposes of consumption. On condition of reciprocity
said vessels are exempt from tonnage and similar charges.
Article 8.—Persian authorities are not
qualified to examine and prosecute misdemeanors and crimes
committed on board foreign war vessels. Death sentences handed
down by foreign authorities cannot be executed on Persian
littoral waters and in the Persian naval controlling zone.
This law consisting of eight
articles was voted by the Majlis (Persian Parliament) in its
session of Tirmah 24, 1313 (July 15,
1934).
Dadgar
President of the Majlis
