Power Struggles in Iran in Wake of Nadir’s Death and the Ottoman Policy towards Iran

Studying the politics and foreign relations of neighboring countries has occupied a special place in various historical periods, specifically when it concerns powerful states. In the mid-18th century, political contention between the Afsharid and the Ottomans within the context of the Islamic world, was the main driver of change in their relations. This article has taken as its subject matter the state of affairs in Iran in the wake of Nadir Shah’s death, the founder of the Afsharid dynasty, in 1747 A.D. and assess the power struggle among House Afsharid to ascend the throne; the struggle between various local and tribes’ rules across Iran has also been studied. Attempts have been made to find answer to the question as to why the Ottomans pursued a policy of peace and non-intervention with Iran despite multiple enticements for occupation during the tumultuous years of 1747-1759?