Iran - Austria Political Relations in the Naserid Period (1847 - 1896)

Interventions of Russia and Britain in the internal affairs of Iran، which finally led to the division of its influenced zones between these two great powers and their consequent control of its economy in Naserid period، provoked the anger of some patriotic Iranian personages. Approximately after the end of Iran- Russia Wars some Qajarid policymakers for making a balance between UK and Russia، believed that the presence of a Third Force could be a possible solution. To this end، Amir-e Kabir’s attempts at employing Austrian teachers at Dar-ol-Fonoun and Austrian military advisors in Nasseraldin Shah’s second trip to Europe could be scrutinized. Exploring Foreign Affairs Ministry records and National Library and Archives of Iran next to some firsthand references، the present study aims at describing the process of change in Iran- Austria relations in the Naserid period as well as discussing the reasons for the discontinuity of such relations. The study concludes that Russia and Britain’s opposition to the influence of any Third Force in Iran، failure in executing the plans of Austrian teachers and advisors due to the internal situation of Iran and Austria’s lack of concern for continuation of Iran-Austria relations، were the major reasons for the breakdown of the relations between the two countries.