The origins and intentions of the Anglo-Persian Agreement 1919: a reassessment

The Anglo-Persian Agreement has never been anything other than controversial. Outwardly, an agreement negotiated by traitors in secrecy, it was to give the British government control over the administration, finance, and military in Iran after the First World War. Much maligned as a plan for a protectorate, the criticism has largely obscured the narrative which shows that this agreement can be seen as a logical conclusion to policies followed by Iran and Britain which had begun in the previous century. In addition, it is likely that the convictions and motivations of the architects of the agreement have been misjudged. Though by no means seeking to exonerate the culpability of self-serving Iranian politicians who sought this agreement, this article seeks to reassess the origins and negotiations behind the agreement and show that its negotiation had precedent and was of vital need to Iran.