An Analysis of Russians' Concern over Germany's Influence in Iran during World War I from the Viewpoint of Achiq Soz Newspaper

 
The present article examines the Russians' concern about Germany's influence in Iran during World War I based on Achiq Soz newspaper. Considering that this newspaper was one of the most important newspapers of the Caucasus in the years 1915 to 1918, analyzing its approach to the issue of Russians' concern about Germany's influence in Iran can provide firsthand information on this issue. The purpose of the present research is thus analyzing how the aforementioned concern is reflected in one of the most important publications of the Caucasus in the first decade of the 20th century, in addition to attempting at a rereading of the newspaper. To achieve these goals, this study seeks to answer this question that how the Achiq Soz newspaper reflects Russians' concerns about Germany's influence in Iran? And what was the most important of these concerns? It is assumed that the newspaper Achiq Soz and its editor Mohammad Amin Rasulzadeh had a German-oriented approach to reflect Russia's concerns about the German influence in Iran. The results show that, despite all the pressure from the censorship office, Achig Soz newspaper did not spare any attempt to expose Russia's colonial policy in Iran and to indirectly accompany the German supporters in Iran. The Achig Soz newspaper also had examined the most important Russian concerns about Germany's influence in Iran in the years 1915 to 1916 in five areas: Russia's lack of confidence in the neutrality of Iran's political and social structure, the mobilizations of the Germans in Hamedan and Kermanshah, Germans' use of Pan-Islamism weapon, Gendarmerie's cooperation with the Germans and Russia's mistakes in its relations with Iran.