The Ottoman-Iranian wars are the general name of the military and political conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid State in Iran. These conflicts between the two empires are based on sectarian differences and the struggle for regional supremacy.
While the Ottoman Empire represented the Sunni Islamic faith, the Safavid State adopted the Shiite faith. Sectarian divisions, combined with military conflicts, have caused the interests of the two states to clash, both in the border areas and economically.
Throughout these wars, there was a struggle to dominate strategic regions such as Eastern Anatolia, Mesopotamia and the Caucasus, and a historical legacy was left that continues to have effects today.
The Battle of Chaldiran and Its Results
In order to examine the results of the Ottoman-Iranian wars, first of all, the Battle of Chaldiran, one of the most important Ottoman-Iranian wars, should be discussed. It took place in 1514 between the Ottoman Sultan Yavuz Sultan Selim and the Safavid leader Shah Ismail. Chaldiran is a turning point that can be considered the beginning of the Ottoman-Safavid wars and shaped the balance of power of the two states.
In the war, the Ottoman army gained a significant advantage by using firearms and established superiority over the Safavid army. As a result of this victory, the Ottoman Empire increased its dominance in Eastern Anatolia, while the Safavid State suffered a serious loss of power in the region. We can list the effects of the Battle of Chaldiran as follows.
- The Ottoman army established a permanent dominance in Eastern Anatolia
- The Safavids had to retreat from this region and the Ottoman influence increased
- The Sunni-Shiite struggle in the region ended in favor of the Ottomans
Causes of the Ottoman-Iranian Wars
Regarding the causes of the Ottoman-Iranian wars , there are political, economic and sectarian conflicts at the root of the war. While the Safavids were trying to spread Shiite Islam, the Ottomans were trying to maintain the influence of Sunni Islam. The interests of the two states clashed in important strategic regions such as Mesopotamia and the Caucasus, and the economic benefits of domination over these regions fueled wars. Some of the important causes of war include:
- The quest for dominance over Mesopotamia and the Caucasus
- Desire to gain economic superiority through control of trade routes
- The struggle of two different sects to gain religious supremacy in the region
The Treaty of Kasr-ı Şirin and Its Results
The wars between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid Empire ended with the Treaty of Kasr-ı Şirin signed in 1639. This treaty defined the borders between the two states and laid the groundwork for a lasting peace.
With the Treaty of Kasr-ı Shirin, Baghdad joined the Ottoman lands and the borders between Iran and the Ottoman Empire were finalized. This border is still valid between Turkey and Iran today. The results of Kasr-ı Şirin are as follows;
- The Ottomans took Baghdad and its surroundings and added an important region to their rule.
- With the end of the wars, a permanent peace was established between the two states and the border was drawn.
- With the treaty, the foundations of today’s borders between Turkey and Iran were laid.
The Origin and Effects of Wars Between the Ottoman and Safavid States
The wars between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid State of Iran stem from sectarian divisions, territorial dominance and competition over trade routes since the Middle Ages.
The main reasons for the Ottoman-Safavid wars are sectarian differences, the struggle for geographical dominance and the control of trade routes. These wars left deep traces in both the political and cultural structures of the two states and laid the foundation for a permanent separation in the Islamic geography.
Additional Information and Resources
The links below were used to learn more about the wars between the Ottoman Empire and Iran and to examine detailed sources.
