Middle East 569
provinces. The dispute ended late in 1912, as no change in Persia’s position occurred
for some time in the years before the outbreak of World War I. The anti-German
alliance signed between Russia and Great Britain allowed Russia to make significant
changes to Persian policy while Great Britain either looked the other way or encour-
aged Persia to give in. Russia occupied Persian Azerbaijan, effected the release of the
American financiers and, on February 6, 1913, was able to extract a railway conces-
sion from a Persian state that it had effectively bankrupted. The only thing Russia was
not able to accomplish was the restoration of the conservative Mohammed Ali to the
throne, a desirable but ultimately not too important objective.
MID#1132
Dispute Number: 1132
Date(s): November 3, 1918
Participants: 630 Iran/365 Russia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: There was a serious rift between the Iranian government and the Soviet
representative in Tehran, Kolomiitsev. Part of this was due to the Iranian govern-
ment’s refusal to recognize the Soviet regime. The Persian Cossack Brigade stormed
the building occupied by the Soviet representative and took Kolomiitsev’s family, his
assistant, and his assistant’s family as prisoners. Kolomiitsev escaped and walked to
Baku, only to be sent back to Iran by the Soviet government.
MID#1133
Dispute Number: 1133
Date(s): May 8, 1920 to February 26, 1921
Participants: 365 Russia/200 United Kingdom, 630 Iran
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: Bolshevik forces invaded northern Persia with the goal of forcing the
expulsion of British troops there. The British and Persians were unable to defeat the
Russian force. After a successful coup, the new Persian government signed a treaty
with the Bolsheviks that severely weakened British influence in the country.
Coding changes: End Date changed from February 24, 1921. Outcome changed from
Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
MID#3160
Dispute Number: 3160
Date(s): April 11, 1933
Participants: 365 Russia/630 Iran
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (None)
Fatalities: None