IOR/L/PS/10/734/1

The item contains correspondence regarding affairs in Persia [Iran] in January-March 1918 during the First World War, particularly the effects of the withdrawal of Russian forces in the wake of the Russian Revolution. The correspondence discusses:

• British policy towards Persia both before and after the Russian withdrawal, particularly related to preventing German and Turkish [Ottoman] influence in Persia
• Support for the British position in Persia offered by France and the United States
• The formation of a new Persian Government under Mustaufi-ul-Mamalek [Hassan Mostowfi ol-Mamalek] and British hopes to influence the establishment of an alternative Government more friendly to British interests under Vosugh-ed-Dowleh [Mirza Hasan Khan Vusugh]
• British efforts to gain Persian acceptance and recognition of the South Persia Rifles, a Persian military force under British command
• Consideration of the fate of the Persian Cossack Brigade and other Russian forces still in Persia, including those opposed to the Soviet Government of Russia
• Consideration of Persian objectives in discussions with the UK, including: the removal of all foreign troops from Persia at the end of the War; the abrogation of the terms of the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907 and the ultimatum made by Russia to Persia in 1911; guaranteed representation at any peace conference at the end of the War; and revision of customs relations between Persia and the UK
• A British agreement to gradually withdraw forces from central and eastern Persia, with insistence on retaining forces in western Persia to support forces in Mesopotamia [Iraq]
• The activities of Dunsterforce, the Allied military force commanded by General Lionel Dunsterville, in northern Persia and the Caucasus, including being driven out of Enzeli [Bander-e Anzali] by pro-Soviet forces
• The arrest in Resht [Rasht] of the British Vice-Consul by the Jangalis [Jungle Movement of Gilan], a Soviet-supported Islamist group in rebellion against the Government of Persia.

The primary correspondents are: HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; the Government of India; the Foreign Office; the India Office; the War Office; Chief of the Imperial General Staff; Chief of the General Staff, India; HM Ambassador to the United States of America; and General Dunsterville.

The majority of the correspondence dates from January-March 1918, but some items from 1916 and 1917 are included for reference.

There are two items in French, a copy of a diplomatic note to the Persian Government from the British and Russian Governments dated August 1916, and a letter from the French Ambassador to the UK concerning Allied collaboration in Persia dated February 1918.

The item includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.