The Portuguese 🇵🇹 occupation of Hormuz🇮🇷, Saudi🇸🇦, Oman 🇴🇲and Bahrain🇧🇭…

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]We've all heard about the British and the French wreaking havoc on the Arab world. But what about the Portuguese?

[00:00:04]Did you know that the Portuguese occupied the Strait of Hormuz, eastern Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman? In the early 1500s, the Portuguese decided that they wanted to control the Gulf spice and horse trade. Instead of conquering [music] inland territories, they focused on the coast. This was designed to control trade across the Gulf and Indian Ocean. Of course, their rule was built on economic and military intimidation.

[00:00:20]Arab merchants were pushed aside as Portugal attempted to monopolize maritime trade between the Gulf, India, and East Africa. They would force the indigenous population to purchase permits from them in order to sail own waters. The towns that decided to resist were bombarded, looted, and burned. The Portuguese occupation of Oman lasted 143 years, while their rule over Hormuz lasted 107 years, and in Bahrain 81 [music] years. Despite their brutality, the Arab and Persian uprisings eventually pushed them out of the Gulf.

[00:00:45]Today, all that remains of their legacy are a few castles in areas like Tarout Island in Saudi Arabia and across Oman.

[00:00:50]A harrowing reminder that the land will always push out the occupiers.