Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 642 The Baghdad Conference (Part 2)
"Napoleon's tactics are certainly good, but I'm afraid our country's finances will collapse before the war even begins."

Shahryari was still uneasy. "According to the briefing from the Army Ministry, Russia has mobilized more than 80 troops this time. If we want to maintain the front line with Russia, our country will need to mobilize at least 60 soldiers."

Based on the current military budget, a force of 60 would require an additional 6200 million rials. This necessitates channeling all previously increased tax revenue into military spending and issuing special government bonds to the public. It remains to be seen whether Iran's financial system can withstand this burden.

"If we win everything, then there's nothing to say. But if we lose..."

"Iran has no concept of defeat!" the Army Minister stated directly. "Russia merely boasts of its invincibility based on its vast territory and harsh winters. The Army has already developed a plan to counter this situation, and we will soon see Russia's defeat!"

Everyone was already immune to what the army department was saying, so Musharraf turned to Navy Minister Xerxes for answers.

"And the Navy, how are you doing?"

Xerxes honestly reported their situation, stating frankly that the navy's development had touched a nerve with Britain. Starting in 1864, Britain increased the size of its Indian fleet and established three shipyards in Bombay and Calcutta.

In addition, defenses in Yangon, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other places were strengthened. The British Far East Fleet also expanded to 45 ships of various sizes, far exceeding Iran's 21 ships. Furthermore, France was also forming a Far East Fleet, seemingly preparing to follow Britain's example in seizing colonies.

At this time, the Far East was experiencing the Yanping and Southern Anhui incidents, in which local people attacked missionaries from France, the United States, and other countries, and burned down churches they were building. They were discussing with the local government the formation of a fleet in order to gain the upper hand and intend to intimidate them.

"If we include the ships from the Ottoman and Egyptian navies, we have 76 naval vessels at our disposal, but half of them are in East Africa and the Far East, and it will be difficult to recall them in the short term."

Iran's largest warships are currently the completed Shahrbaz-class destroyers, of which there are four. These are Iran's most prized possessions, and their loss would be a major blow to its naval power.

"The Navy needs a lot of money every year. If it cannot prove its worth, it will probably have to cut its budget."

This statement ignited Xerxes's fury, and he confidently assured Xerxes that the navy would protect every inch of Iran's coastline.

He turned to Shahryarri: “Your Excellency, are you worried about fiscal collapse? Let me tell you, without a strong navy, our merchant fleet will be unable to move an inch, customs revenue will plummet, and overseas markets will be lost! That would be a real fiscal collapse! The navy is not draining the national treasury; the navy is protecting the lifeline of the national treasury!”

Then, addressing Murad and the entire cabinet, he presented a strategic vision for the navy that differed from that of the army:

"Gentlemen, our navy is well aware that in terms of total tonnage and numbers, we can never directly confront the Royal Navy or even the French Navy. However, the value of a navy lies not only in fleet battles! If war breaks out with Britain and France, we will venture deep into the Indian Ocean and even the Red Sea to attack and capture British and French merchant fleets, disrupting their maritime transport routes. This will not only strike at the enemy economically, but also create global panic, forcing Britain to disperse its precious naval forces around the world to protect its trade routes."

Just then, the door opened. The telegraph operator handed Murad a telegram, the contents of which made him feel a sense of urgency.

"Gentlemen, there's no point in discussing this now. This is a telegram from Beirut: the Anglo-French fleet went to provoke us, our forces opened fire, severely damaging one British warship and sinking one French warship."

"This is a deliberate provocation!" the Minister of War roared. "This is an act of war!"

Finance Minister Shahryari's face turned deathly pale instantly. He murmured, "It's over... The war... It's really started..." The situation he feared most had arrived in the most direct and bloody way.

"No, this is not the end, this is the beginning!" Prince Murad stood up abruptly, his gaze sharp as he swept over every minister present. "Gentlemen, the time for debate is over. Now is the time for action! The nation is officially entering a state of war!"

He said to the Foreign Secretary: “Uncle Abdullah, act immediately! Announce the truth of the incident to the world, emphasizing that it was the British and French fleets that first entered our territorial waters to provoke us! Send urgent notes to all neutral countries, especially Austria, Germany, and the United States, condemning the aggression of Britain and France and calling for international mediation! At the same time, activate all our secret channels, especially those connected with the City of London and the opposition parties in Paris. We must let the voices against war be heard in Britain and France!”

He then addressed the Minister of War, saying, "The Caucasus defenses are on high alert! The Danube Corps is to hold firm! Tell the frontline commanders that I have granted them the authority to make on-the-spot decisions and to open fire immediately on any enemy that crosses the border or provokes us, without warning!"

The State Council meeting ended, and everyone knew that the die was cast. Saying anything more was pointless.

Following the shelling of Beirut, Iran and the Ottoman Empire jointly and strongly condemned the illegal intrusion and deliberate provocation by Britain and France into their territorial waters, asserting the legitimacy of their self-defense response and characterizing the incident as a shameless aggression by Western powers against an independent Eastern nation.

The British government strongly condemned the Ottoman "treacherous attack," declaring it an insult to the Royal Navy and a violation of international freedom of navigation, demanding an "unconditional apology, compensation, and punishment of the perpetrators." Within Parliament, the voices of the pro-war faction prevailed over the cautious faction, and public opinion, swayed by the media, was outraged by the atrocities committed in the East. However, the City of London and the business community privately worried about the impact of the war on global trade and finance.

The McMahon government in France portrayed the event as a brutal trampling of French honor, issuing its most severe war threats against the Ottomans and Iran. They urgently demanded a large-scale punitive expedition in alliance with Britain, aimed directly at the Levant coast, and even called for the bombardment of Constantinople. Simultaneously, they used the incident to suppress the Republicans, advocating that only a strong monarchy could lead France to glory; war fervor was used as a tool in domestic political struggles.

Furthermore, Russia, Greece, Serbia, and Montenegro are intensifying border provocations and military preparations, hoping to profit from the chaos. Austria and Germany remain neutral; their intentions are unknown.

Panic gripped global markets. Shipping insurance costs soared, oil, cotton, and food prices fluctuated wildly, and stock markets in London and Paris plummeted. Everyone realized that war was inevitable, and only a spark was needed to ignite it.

(End of this chapter)