In 1521, the Portuguese ally with Hormuz and seize Bahrain from the Jabrid ruler Migrin ibn Zamil, who is killed during the takeover.

Portuguese rule lasts for around eighty years, during which time they depend mainly on Sunni Persian governors.

The Portuguese are expelled from the islands in 1602 by Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty of Persia, which gives impetus to Shia Islam.