فصلنامه تاریخ روابط خارجی
پیاپی 65 (زمستان 1394)

Bahram V’s reign constitutes a significantly important and eventful epoch in the Sassanid era during which the Caucasus and Central Asia were hotly disputed amongst Sassanid Empire, Rome and local kings and rulers. The disputed lands were characterized by special economic, political, religious and geographical features which drew the attention of Iranian Kings, Roman empires, Armenian Lords and local rulers leading them to go to great lengths to dominate the land. What were the reasons for the developments in the North-western (the Caucasus) and -eastern (Central Asia) part of Iran? This article seeks to put these developments in its proper historical context in order to study the determining factors shaping the prevailing political atmosphere by means of descriptive-analytical method. For some reasons, some parts of Iran were invaded by the Romans, Armenians and eastern tribes which brought about fundamental change in the northwestern areas and eastern borders. The irresponsibility of the Sassanid kings along with the corrupt influence of lords and nobles, greed, lack of mutual respect, religious conversion and acquisition of wealth propelled this downward trend.

Bahram V’s reign constitutes a significantly important and eventful epoch in the Sassanid era during which the Caucasus and Central Asia were hotly disputed amongst Sassanid Empire, Rome and local kings and rulers. The disputed lands were characterized by special economic, political, religious and geographical features which drew the attention of Iranian Kings, Roman empires, Armenian Lords and local rulers leading them to go to great lengths to dominate the land. What were the reasons for the developments in the North-western (the Caucasus) and -eastern (Central Asia) part of Iran? This article seeks to put these developments in its proper historical context in order to study the determining factors shaping the prevailing political atmosphere by means of descriptive-analytical method. For some reasons, some parts of Iran were invaded by the Romans, Armenians and eastern tribes which brought about fundamental change in the northwestern areas and eastern borders. The irresponsibility of the Sassanid kings along with the corrupt influence of lords and nobles, greed, lack of mutual respect, religious conversion and acquisition of wealth propelled this downward trend.

Simultaneouswith expansion of the Sassanid Empire there was an gradual increase in the migration of Arabs from Arabia to Oman. During the interregnum and the ensuing weakness of the Sassanid Empire, from Shahpȗr I’s death (272 A.D) to the ascend of Shahpȗr II (310 A.D), the invading hoards from the southern coasts of the Persian Gulf found new momentum in their attacks on the lands to the north of the Persian Gulf. Among the invading tribes those of Azd, Bani-tamim, Bekr-ibn-Vael, Hanzala, and Bani-taghallab were more notable. The Muslims’ conquest and the fall of the Sassanid Empire unraveled the political unity and Persian military and economic dominance over large swathes of southern and northern Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman which, in the short term, intensified Arabism and heightened the flow of migrant from Arabia and Yemen to Bahrain, Oman and ultimately Iran. The current research seeks to study the flow of migration and settlement of various Arab tribes from the fall of the Sassanid Empire to the dawn of the Islamic era. How did Arabs manage to migrate to the southern and southeastern swathes of Iran? And, how did this bear upon the host communities? It will be concluded that notwithstanding the strengthening of Arab presence in the Persian Gulf coasts and the Sea of Oman, as a result of these migration waves, the immigrants were absorbed and assimilated into the tradition, culture and Iranian society.

Various factors have contributed to destabilizing Iran-Ottoman relation. under Shah Tahmasp relations between two countries were rife with tension and conflict. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent took advantage of Iran’s domestic problems and launched several attacks on Iran, but Ottoman forces ultimately retreat due to fierce Iranian resistance. On his last military campaign against Iran, Suleiman could not win a decisive victory, thus conceded to the Peace of Amasya. The fundamental question of this research has been to study Suleiman’s relations the Safavid Shah Tahmasp. The research uses Historical-Analytical method to find answers to that question. The main aim has been to identify the reasons for conflict and war between the two countries and the implications of the Peace of Amasya. Under Shah Tahmasp Iran-Ottoman relations were hostile and defectors among the rank of princes on the two sides always exacerbated the already-hostile relations. Despite increasing disputes during the first decades of the Safavid Empire, due to the Peace of Amasya under Shah Tahmasp, religious and political differences were reduced and relations took a rather friendly turn.

Along with the development of political relations between Iran and the Mughals of India, trade relations started off with difficulty as Shah Abbas prevented the presence of Indian merchants in Iran, therefore, the amount of goods traded between the two countries was insignificant. However, in spite of border disputes after the demise of Shah Abbas trade expanded to the extent that Indian Mughals became one of the largest trade partners of Safavid Iran. As Merchants and active agents of the two countries found a firm foothold in ports, cities, and trade centers of the other country, Iran-India trade developed considerably under Shah Abbas II compared to the previous periods. In regard to the prominent role of Indian merchants in Iranian economy under Shah Abbas II, an analysis of trade relations between the two countries become all the more important. The question remains as to what the implications of political relations were for Iran-India trade during Shah Abbas II. The author has sought to study Iran-India trade relations during the reign of Shah Abbas II and analyze the amount and type of traded commodities and goods and trade routes, and also has tried to assess the impact of political relations on trade between the two countries.

Iran-Ottoman Relations in the years 1142-1193 (A.H) had many ups and downs. Nader Shah’s ascent to power marks the beginning of this period and Karim Khan’s demise is the final act in this drama. Though during this period the relations were mostly hostile, a period of relative calm existed after the death of Nader Shah until Karim Khan’s ascent to throne. Local clans and tribe of Kermanshah always fought for Afshar and Zand rulers against the Ottomans. How did Kermanshah local clans and tribes play their political and military role in Iran-Ottoman Relations? In wartime, they fought alongside the Iranian forces against the Ottoman foe and their elite served as envoys to the Ottoman court in times of peace and strived to settle mutual conflicts. The research uses descriptive-analytical method and draws upon primary library sources and articles.