Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 257 On the Peninsula
As a rapidly developing port city on the Persian Gulf, Dhahran handles a large portion of the Arabian Peninsula's trade. Meanwhile, the ongoing construction of the Dhahran-Riyadh railway and the Persian Gulf Ring Railway is further boosting its prosperity.

Mohammed Khatami stood on the land of Dhahran as the appointed Iranian representative to the Arabian Peninsula, responsible for maintaining relations between the various tribes of the peninsula and Iran, while also implementing the Iranian government's policies in the Arabian Peninsula.

“Now I feel that this place is under Shah’s control.”

Iran's current approach to the various Arab tribes is one of gradual control. The King of Bahrain has already submitted completely, as their imports and exports are entirely controlled by Iran. The King has also traveled to Tehran and been granted a noble title by the Shah. This effectively brings the region back under Iranian rule.

In reality, the local tribes had few options other than assimilating into Iranian territory. Their main export was pearls, most of which went to Iran, while Iranian merchants sold the grains, fruits, vegetables, and daily necessities they imported. Bahrain's power was too small to resist Iran's demands.

However, Iran faces a significant challenge in its attempt to completely control the region: the Arab world is vast and sparsely populated, with fewer than one million inhabitants. Even more problematic is the fact that these are nomadic peoples who can easily disappear on horseback or camel, herding cattle and sheep, making it impossible to find them.

Iran has a countermeasure: people and livestock can flee, but pastures and water sources cannot. By controlling key areas like pastures and water sources, the locals will be forced to leave if they don't want to starve. However, this will take considerable time and money.

Of course, the most important thing is to use economic benefits to lull the tribal elders into complacency and to use religion to manage the lower classes. Otherwise, why build roads in the area? It's all for better control over the local population.

"Sir, besides a few large tribes, there are still many small tribes on the peninsula. They have basically submitted to the Shah, but if we don't want them to escape our control, we still need to keep them under control."

"Of course I know, otherwise Shah wouldn't have sent me here."

In recent years, trade between Iran and Arab tribes has flourished, with locally produced goods such as dates and camel milk being exported, and camel leasing also developing. The entire inland region is being transformed by trade.

In order to continue creating value, Nasser al-Din spearheaded the idea of ​​having tribal-affiliated Arab companies start thinking about making wine from dates and processing dairy products to gain more export opportunities.

This situation made Nasserdin feel like he was playing an island game, making his first fortune by exporting cheese and date wine, and then seeing what else he could do to expand.

The Dhahran railway has now reached Hufuf, which is considered a suitable area for agricultural development. Goods from the coast can also be transported in, but to continue this development, other profitable products must be found.

"So, have you discovered any new mineral deposits?"

And indeed, there was good news: "We've discovered some phosphate deposits in the northern region, which can be processed into agricultural fertilizers. Once we invest in it, we can start mining very quickly. We can also set up a fertilizer plant for production."

Here it comes: if you're going to develop mineral resources, you need to start mining immediately to create more value. Besides the influx of Iranian capital, the Arab tribes who received the money also began investing in various industries to generate more income. In Riyadh, inland, several trading firms were established. Most of them were backed by tribal families, and after the war, Iran's rewards to them are on the agenda, likely substantial.

As the tribe that contributed the most to the community, the leader not only owned a mansion in Tehran, but also stocks in the Golden Lion Capital Company, most of the land in Riyadh, and over three thousand camels. With money, naturally, they wanted to enjoy it. Other members of the tribe, receiving favors from the elders, settled locally, engaging in processing industries or settling into agriculture. They were also the tribe that underwent the fastest transformation.

But they cannot afford to be complacent, because Mecca in the west is still watching them closely. Sunnis and Shiites are sworn enemies; since the Sunnis are no good, then let the Shiites take control of the holy land.

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At this moment in Bandar Abbas, the Iranian Navy is holding a grand celebration because the ironclad warships they ordered from France have finally arrived.

Both of these ironclad warships had a displacement of 2450 tons and were equipped with powerful cannons and rams, which greatly improved their offensive and defensive capabilities compared to previous warships.

Admiral Tarsem looked at the two ships and almost cried. Now they could finally emulate the British and launch a naval war.

Britain was aware of this trade order, but the cabinet believed that Iran did not have the guts to attack India and that it would be sufficient to use British ships as a deterrent.

However, Iran is indeed not interested in going to India, because their target is Oman, and Iran's merchant fleet also needs escort, which is why they ordered warships from France.

At this moment, Oman's Sultan Sueni was trembling with fear. Iran had defeated the Ottomans, so would he be next? It's worth noting that Iran had consistently offered 1000 million rials to purchase Muscat and the surrounding territory, but Sueni had refused. Now that Iran had won, it meant Sueni's turn would soon be next.

Moreover, even if he wanted to sell, it would only be possible if he still possessed Zanzibar. In 1856, Majid bin Said, the youngest son of Said bin Sultan, ascended to the throne after his father's death and declared himself Sultan of the Sultanate of Zanzibar. However, his brother Suweni bin Said was dissatisfied, and the two quickly clashed. Later, under British arbitration, the Omani Empire was divided into two empires: Oman itself was ruled by Suweni, while the Zanzibar region was ruled by Majid.

Thus, the vast Omani Empire was split in two. When Sueene returned to Muscat, he tried to develop local industries dominated by Iranians, and even then, he had to borrow money from Iranian merchants to make a living. He had thought the Ottoman war would drag on for a year or two, but it ended in just eight months; the Ottomans were truly pathetic.

Given this situation, he had no choice but to consider his own and his family's future. He wrote to the Shah of Iran, saying he would travel to Tehran to meet him. He also offered to act as a guide for the Iranian troops attacking Zanzibar.

Although it will be painful to do this, it's the only way for the family's future. Don't worry, he can burn more paper money next year.

(End of this chapter)