A Glance over Iran-Belgium Diplomatic Relations: the Case of Belgian Advisors

According to many historical sources, the year 1841 marks the beginning of the first diplomatic contacts between Iran and Belgium. The relations between the two countries climaxed as Belgian advisors entered Iran to contribute to the management of the Customs, Post and Iran’s Finance. Belgium’s control over the Customs as a measure to guarantee Iran’s loans was a major breakthrough in Iranian foreign relations with this European country. The article gives a detailed account, based on the documents of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of the early stages of relations between Iran and Belgium including the establishment of embassies and the Belgians’ activities in Iran.