Bahrain: From Persian Gulf Outpost to Independent Isle

However, the late 18th century marked a significant shift with the rise of the Al Khalifa family, an Arab clan that conquered Bahrain from their base in Zubara on Qatar's peninsula in 1783. This established the current ruling dynasty of Bahrain, which has since navigated complex geopolitical forces to maintain its independence. While Iran continued to lay claim to Bahrain, particularly during the Qajar and Pahlavi eras, the island's effective control gradually shifted away from Tehran. The increasing involvement of the British Empire in the Persian Gulf further complicated matters, as Britain sought to establish its own influence and secure trade routes, often at the expense of existing regional powers.