Iran-Turkey Political Relations, 1919-1925

After the First World War, Iran and the Ottomans were afflicted with vast internal problems and external threats. International great powers’ intentions of redefining the political map of the Middle East, and the attempts of the ethnic and religious groups who didn’t have independent states of their own to take advantage of this opportunity, posed serious challenges to Iran and the Ottomans. The mains burgeoning stage of these challenges were the Northwest Iran and East Anatolia. With Turk nationalist consolidating their position in the Anatolia, Iranian statesmen, headed by Ahmad Qavam, sought to interact with the Ankara government. During the fateful era of 1919 to 1925 which witnessed the establishment of new political systems in Iran and Turkey, the Kurd issues and Iran’s concern over pan Turk activities in Azerbaijan State were the main influential factor in mutual relation. These issues persisted through the time when Reza Khan was the prime minister and into his monarchy.