فصلنامه تاریخ روابط خارجی
پیاپی 76 (پاییز 1397)

Although, in the early years of the twentieth century, Iran’s eastbound railway was meant to enhance the transit of goods between Iran and India, Pakistan’s divorce from the latter in 1947 put an end this ambition. Iran endeavored to improve political relations to the east in an effort to stabilize the eastern borders. It was, however, during the 70s oil crisis and the ensuing boom in Iranian economy that drove the Iranian government towards the re-invigoration of this trade route. The current article seeks to study economic and political measures adopted by the Pahlavi government during the 70s which aimed at rebuilding this transit route to the countries in the Indian ocean region. This research draws heavily upon historical documents and archives and the findings suggest that after improving its political relations with countries in the Indian ocean region in the 70s and thanks to rising oil prices, Iran initiated various development plans, such as economic and technical initiatives, to restart the eastbound railway again; an ambition that ended when the political landscape was overwhelmed by 1978-1979 developments in the two countries.

At the outset of the 7th Hijri century a great development unfolded along the Silk Road which will mark the history of the world; an incident that would not have occurred without sufficient levels of interaction between the tradespeople and statesmen. It was the rise of Genghis Khan and his invasion and conquest of west Asia. Along the Silk Road, merchants were busy trading in goods like silk, and metals and other essential items. Apart from the goods, however, they could offer other services such as economic, military, geographic, social, cultural and political information; these services were in highly demanded by statesmen and conquerors. In this context, the tradespeople took on various roles and acted in the capacity of ambassadors and messengers. A defining element of statesmen’s and conquerors’ success was their use of the merchants and their services; in the 7th century, Mongols were, more than others, successful in availing themselves of the opportunity provided by merchants.

The expanse of land that stretches between the provinces of Gilan and Ardabil is known as Talesh; a region that has created headaches for the central rulers as regards succumbing to a central power, and this has borne on the demarcation of political boundaries. In the period between Karim Khand Zand through the Qajar dynasty, the Khanates of Talesh managed to establish themselves as independent rulers. The end of Iran-Russia wars brought about the secession of parts of Talesh and this, in turn, drastically changed the geographical turf of the rulers and their respective politics vis-à-vis the Iranian and Russian governments. Sharing border with the Caucasus and the expansionist policies pursued by Peter the Great apparently draw Russians’ attentions to Talsh rulers. Notwithstanding the said factors, the draconian stance taken by Qajar sovereigns towards the rulers in Talesh provided further incentive to the latter to lean more on Russia. The hypothesis that links Talesh rulers’ disobedience to the central rule in Iran to the former’s strong sense of independence is predicated upon the relative decline of the central authority in Iran after the demise of Nadir Shah. Weak central power after the Safavid dynasty on the one hand, and the turmoil in the wake of Nadir’s death on the other, created a sense of disregard toward Talesh rulers which brought about their rebellion, rise to independence and their policy shift vis-à-vis Iran and Russia. The current research has employed descriptive-analytical method to study the political and military role played Talesh rulers in Iran-Russia conflicts

The prevailing influence of foreign policy over foreign relations in Iran in the period 1953-1979 drove Mohammad Reza Shah to take steps in furthering Iran’s interests, which led to the expansion of cooperation between Iran and the United Socialist Soviet Republics. The current research draws upon theoretical frameworks based on positive nationalism and national independence and employs qualitative content analysis methodology to assess Iran-Soviet relations under the Shah. The main research question is what was Iran’s main incentive for establishing interactive relations with the Soviet Republics? According to documents, the Shah pursued a line of positive nationalism and national independence in the conduct of his foreign policy and, unlike previous era of inactivity and submission to the norther neighbor, took the matters in his hand and initiated many endeavors vis-à-vis the Russians which contributed to expansion of friendly relations in trade, science and technical spheres.

Mongols attributed great importance to trade and the benefits accrued from it. When the Ilkhanate rule was established in Iran, they cultivated a keen interest in developing ties with nation-states of Venice and Genoa, much like the pattern pursued by Mongol khans in Cumania; more importantly, their adversaries, the rulers of Egypt and Mongol rulers in Ulus had already vast trade ties to Venice and Genoa. Ilkhanate’s efforts was met by enthusiasm on the part of Venetian a Genoese tradespeople, and, within the broader context of the hardship endured by Italian traders in Egypt, tradespeople from the Italian nation-states found their way into Iran. As Italian traders consolidated their foothold within the Ilkhanate government, they utilized the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea and the Anatolia- and Mediterranean-bound Silk Road for carrying their oriental goods to Europe. This article uses descriptive-analytical method to study the formation of trade relations between the Ilkhanates and Venetian and Genoese tradespeople, their mutual effort to develop trade ties and the their area of interest for the exchange of goods.

This paper suggest the interpretation of the images woven on Safavid precious textiles in their historical context. The thesis is that the mythical and literary subject of the discovery of fire by Shah Hushang was used by the Safavids in their negotiation concerning the supply of the firearms to Iran. The images of Hushang slaying the dragon on the silks of the third quarter of the sixteenth century reflect different stages of this diplomatic mission and the object sewn out of these textiles served as meaningful presents to the interested parties.