Russo-Persian War
The Russo-Persian War was a military conflict that took place from 1960 to 1963 between the Russian National Republic and the Kingdom of Persia. The war was sparked by a dispute over fishing rights and oil concessions in the Caspian Sea, which led to Russia supporting a secessionist movement in northern Persia known as the National Republic of Tabarestan.
Background
The Caspian Sea, which lies between Russia and Persia, was a significant source of oil and gas, as well as fish. Russia and Persia both claimed ownership over its resources. The dispute over fishing rights and oil concessions intensified when Russia supported a Tabarestani National-Republican secessionist movement in northern Persia. This move was perceived as a direct challenge to Persian sovereignty, and tensions between the two nations escalated. Russia provided military and financial aid to the Tabarestani rebels, enabling them to launch guerrilla attacks against Persian military and civilian targets. The mountainous region of Tabarestan also provided the secessionist forces with a strategic advantage, allowing them to evade Persian forces and continue their insurgency. The Tabarestani rebels also played a crucial role in providing intelligence to the Russians, helping them to identify weak points in Persian defenses.
Great Britain expressed concern over the escalating conflict between Russia and Persia, particularly about the potential impact of the tensions on regional stability and the global oil market. As a major oil producer, both Russia and Persia's involvement in the conflict had the potential to disrupt global oil supplies, causing widespread economic repercussions.
Outbreak of war
The conflict escalated into military action in 1960 when Russian forces invaded Persia, capturing several strategic areas and initiating a campaign of aerial bombardment. The Persians responded with a series of counterattacks, but were unable to push the Russian forces back. By mid-1961, the Russian military had established a strong presence in Tabarestan, and the rebels were able to coordinate their attacks with Russian forces. By late 1962, the rebels and Russian forces had captured several key Persian cities and established a foothold in the region.
British involvement
Although it did not participate in any military action, Great Britain provided financial and diplomatic support to the Persian government, hoping to prevent the spread of Russian influence in the Middle East. Despite their efforts, however, Britain was unable to prevent the secession of Tabarestan and the further Russian incursions into Persian territory.
End of the war, and the Treaty of Saratov (1963)
The war ended in 1963 with the Treaty of Saratov. As part of the peace treaty, Persia was forced to concede most of its oil rights in the region. The treaty also established the National Republic of Tabarestan as a separate state separate from Persia. The war weakened Persian influence and allowed Russia to expand its sphere of influence in the region. The new nation of Tabarestan was then admitted into the International Republican Coalition (IRC).