Sociopolitical and military-security motivation of the Iranian aristocracy for reconciliation with the Muslim Arabs

The conquest of Iran by the Muslim Arabs that marked the fall of the Sassanid dynasty, as well as the questions about its justifications and consequences, have been extensively discussed by historians from a variety of angles. Hence, there are divergent views on the rationales underlying their rapid and unpredictable domination over the great Sassanid territory. For example, references have been made to the reconciliation of some Iranian aristocratic and ruling families with the Arabs for economic and religious purposes. However, no independent and systematic research has explored the non-economic and non-religious goals and motives of the Iranian aristocracy in reconciliation with the Arabs so far. This study, utilizing a descriptive-analytical method, strives to explore the political, social, military, and security stimuli of the Arab conquerors. According to findings, the urgency to protect one’s life, maintain former positions, promote one’s socio-political status in the new ruling system, exploit Arab military force to get rid of traditional rivals, and be realistic about surviving the military crisis and regaining power impelled a class of Iranian aristocrats to pursue the strategy of reconciliation with the Arab invading forces.