Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 461 The Local War Between Russia and Iran (Part 1)

The conflict between Russia and Iran is also beginning to affect other areas, such as causing significant fluctuations in oil and food prices. This is the impact on countries outside the region.

For small countries like Czerjania and the Imam of the Caucasus, a war between Iran and Russia could be fatal.

Following the Crimean War, both countries gained independence from Russian oppression. Although still under Iranian influence, the other side is far better off than Russia.

Iran has provided over 2000 million rials in loans and aid to both countries, and Iran consumes almost all of their exported grain and livestock. Iran has also opened a railway line from Baku to Grozny, facilitating trade between the two countries and Iran.

Militarily, both countries face immense pressure from Russia. Both have adopted a policy of universal conscription, with members of all three generations—old, middle-aged, and young—serving in their armies. They have also constructed fortifications along their borders to guard against a potential Russian attack.

Both countries had reached a conclusion: the Ottoman Empire was unreliable, and the future of the Crescent Moon Society depended on Iran. Therefore, in diplomacy, they adopted a pro-Iranian stance. When war between Russia and Iran loomed, both countries began partial mobilization to prevent a surprise Russian attack.

Nasserdin could accept that both countries would gather their troops on the border, since the weapons needed by both countries were provided by Iran, and the Shah was satisfied with the mobilization.

The most important thing now is for Iran to fight this war well. Who could have imagined that this provocation would lead to such an outcome? But it's too late to say anything now. It's time to see if Iran's military strength has improved over the years.

While the outside world was discussing this, Lieutenant General Isfahani, the commander-in-chief of the military in the Caucasus region, was busy in his command post.

"Where is the Fourth Heavy Artillery Regiment?"

"We're almost at Yerevan. Colonel Ibn, the commander, has sent a telegram saying we won't be late."

After hearing the staff officer's reply, Isfahani continued to study the map and asked, "So, how is the supply transport going?"

"Currently, the transportation of personnel and supplies is proceeding normally. The transportation congestion caused by the malfunctions of two trains has been resolved, and he has requisitioned two more locomotives from the railway department. In order to ensure that this situation does not happen again, he has also distributed spare locomotives to various stations, so that if any train malfunctions, a spare locomotive will be dispatched immediately to remove it."

"Okay, I understand. Is there anything else?"

"And that's all."

After dismissing the reporting staff, Isfahani continued to examine the battle map. It marked the current positions of each division and their routes of advance. If the Russians saw this map, they would know the location of the offensive, troop strength, equipment, and other relevant information.

However, maps like this, clearly indicating various military information, are rare in the country, numbering no more than three: one at the General Staff, one in front of the Shah, and one with him. When a unit reaches a certain position, it reports to him, and the staff re-marks its location on the map.

For him, this was the first time he had independently commanded a large-scale battle involving over 100,000 people. Previously, his battles were either limited to tens of thousands, or he had served as someone else's deputy. This placed immense pressure on him.

Russia has over 200,000 troops stationed along its Caucasus border, while Iran has over 100,000 troops stationed in Georgia and Azerbaijan. Everyone knows this is the next powder keg, and it's about to explode. "General, we've just received intelligence that Russia has redeployed troops to reinforce the Caucasus, and these troops are currently only 100 kilometers from Grozny."

Upon hearing the staff officer's report, Mandif grabbed the telegram and began reading it himself. The telegram had come from an agent embedded within the Russian government. It instructed them to maintain control of the railways and prepare a range of military supplies and provisions.

Isfahani immediately said, "Send a telegram to the intelligence department, requesting them to ascertain the unit designations and numbers of these arriving troops."

Fortunately, in recent years, Iran, Austria, and some people in Russia have jointly established the Russian Telegraph Company and begun laying telegraph lines throughout the country. Otherwise, if they were sending telegrams, they would have been easily detected by Russia.

"Immediately summon the operations staff and prepare to change the plan."

He planned to revise the plan to include these troops. They couldn't be allowed to disrupt Iran's operational deployment.

While Iran was scrambling to prepare for the impending arrival of reinforcements, Mikhail Muravyov had already arrived at his new command post. He would direct the Russian offensive against Iran.

Yes, when Iran launched its attack on Russia in the Transoxiana region, the Russian General Staff devised a plan to attack the Caucasus region, annex the two small countries, cross the Caucasus Mountains, and seize Tabriz, Iran's economic center, and Baku, its oil hub. The goal was to destroy Iran's economy.

If successful, Russia could cause Iran to lose a quarter of its territory and a large portion of its population, rendering it incapable of further resistance. The Tsar approved the plan and ordered Muravyov to command the army.

This general had previously brutally suppressed the Polish uprising, executing thousands and exiling tens of thousands to Siberia. He was known as the "Vilnius Executioner" for his iron-fisted policies. Meanwhile, Nikolai Yevdokimov would command the Black Sea Fleet to harass Sukhumi in Iran, disrupting their trade.

"By the way, when will the reinforcements from St. Petersburg arrive?"

As soon as Muravyov entered, he asked about his reinforcements.

"They are expected to arrive in three days and will immediately relieve the guards. This will bring our combat forces to 30. If we add the equipment that comes as support, we will have a massive firepower of 658 artillery pieces, enough to put us in a good fight with Iran."

His chief of staff's words did not bring a smile to his face. His expression remained somber. "This battle will be difficult. We've been locked in a standoff with the Iranians for years, and you know their strength. Since they've provoked this conflict, they must have something to rely on."

Although our strength has grown considerably in recent years, we are still not capable of merely catching up. According to intelligence from Orenburg, Petrovsk is on the verge of falling, which is why the Tsar is waging war in the Caucasus.

Muravyov ordered his staff to send another telegram requesting an additional 15 troops and 150 artillery pieces. He knew that this time, not only Iran but also two smaller countries were involved, and he had to be fully prepared. He also wanted to suppress any infidels who harbored ulterior motives and show them the power of the Russian Empire.

(End of this chapter)