IOR/L/PS/10/734/2

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

Folios 4-81 are primarily concerned with the Turkish [Ottoman] advance into the Caucasus and northern Persia after the Russian withdrawal, including: the burning of secret and confidential documents and the evacuation of British personnel from Tabriz; the importance of securing Russia’s Caspian Fleet at Baku and the potential role of Dunsterforce, the Allied military force commanded by General Lionel Dunsterville; and a decisive Armenian victory over Turkey on 27 May [Battle of Sardarabad].

The correspondence also discusses:

• British policy towards Persia both before and after the Russian withdrawal, particularly related to preventing German and Ottoman influence in Persia
• Improvement of roads in northern Persia, for both military and relief purposes
• 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
• 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 Jangalis refused to release him until the British released Soleiman Mirza [Soleiman Eskandari], a socialist politician accused of spying
• Consolidation within the British Government of the Middle East Committee and the Persia Committee into a single Eastern Committee
• Efforts to develop friendly relationships with the Bakhtiari people, including a loan of captured Turkish guns to the Khan of Ahwaz [Ahvaz]
• United States relief work in Persia
• Speculation about the potentially imminent collapse of the Persian Government and support for Vosough-ed-Dowleh [Mirza Hasan Khan Vusugh] to be the next Prime Minister.

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

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.