Abstract: Papers concerning affairs on the northeast frontiers of Persia [Iran], with a focus on Iranian Azerbaijan, sent to and from British Government officials based in Persia, including those at the British Consulate at Tabriz and the British Embassy in Tehran, and the Foreign Office in London.The correspondence covers the following:Throughout the period June 1930 to July 1931 (ff 379-421), the situation on the Perso-Russian and Perso-Turkish borders, and relations in the region between Persia and Russia. These papers predominantly comprise reports from the British Consul at Tabriz (Clarence Edward Stanhope Palmer).During October and November 1932, calls to boycott the elections to the new Persian majlis by an organisation describing itself as the Nationalist Organisation of Azerbaijan (ff 368-378). Papers include a translation of a manifesto issued by the organisation (ff 369-370).In 1935, reports responding to rumours of civil unrest in Tabriz (ff 357-363).In 1938, deteriorating relations between Iran and Russia, partly in response to Russia’s unease at an increase in trade between Germany and Iran (ff 337-352).The political crisis brought about by the declaration of the Azerbaijan People’s Government in November 1945, and the ensuing Iran-Azerbaijan Crisis, which arose from Soviet Russia’s refusal to relinquish Iranian territory originally occupied by Russia during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941 (ff 4-336). Papers include a declaration (in French) made by the National Congress of Iranian Azerbaijan (ff 259-260), and the translated texts of programmes and laws announced by the Azerbaijan National Government (ff 207-209, f 92, ff 77-79, ff 61-63).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 422; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file is a direct chronological continuation of Coll 28/21 ‘Persia; Azerbaijan; Persia-Russian & Persia-Turkish Frontier.’ (IOR/L/PS/12/3417). It chiefly comprises copies of telegraphic correspondence exchanged between British officials in Tehran and Tabriz, and the Foreign Office in London, and covers events of the Iran-Azerbaijan crisis of 1946, and its immediate aftermath:Reports and eyewitness accounts of the withdrawal, in May 1946, of Russian troops from Tabriz and Iranian Azerbaijan, and the efforts of an Iranian Government delegation to verify the Russian evacuation.Negotiations between the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (referred to as the Democrats), led by Ja’far Pishevari, and the Iranian (Central) Government, led by the Iranian Prime Minister, Ahmad Qavam, leading to an agreement on 13 June 1946 for the Iranian Azerbaijan Parliament to be changed to a Provincial Council (ff 278-279).From October 1946, amidst a deteriorating political situation, and in the run up to December elections, preparations in Iranian Azerbaijan for armed resistance against Iran.From 10 December 1946, reports of Iranian troops launching attacks in Iranian Azerbaijan, prior to their arrival in Tabriz on 13 December 1946 (f 156, f 115).Discussion amongst British officials over their role in supporting the Iranian Government, with support from British (and US) officials being declared on 10 December 1946, immediately after the Iranian Government’s military action against Iranian Azerbaijan had been confirmed.Continuing reports of violence in Iranian Azerbaijan and the Mahabad District of Iran, including the arrest, imprisonment, and killing of individuals associated with the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan.A secret report on a tour of Iranian Azerbaijan, made by the Assistant British Military Attaché, 6-15 April 1947 (ff 25-40).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 378; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.