The history of Iran's affairs with European governments during the Zand dynasty has been kept brief and undisclosed for many years. Domestic issues faced by Karim Khan Zand and the inefficiency of his successors in handling internal affairs, resulted in the neglection of Russia’s influence over Caucasus and Caspian shores. Unlike the Safavid period, no attempts were made by the Zands towards the restoration of Iran’s sovereignty over Caucasus, and unlike the Afsharid period, the Iranian government made no strong declarations of hegemony over these regions. This research aims to clarify Iranian-Russian affairs between the years of 1747 and 1785 through a descriptive-analytical approach, and elucidate how permanent occupation in internal affairs and lack of comprehensive policies towards the consolidation of authority, resulted in the loss of sovereignty over Caucasus and autonomy in the region, which in turn enabled foreign rule over the area

The history of Iran's affairs with European governments during the Zand dynasty has been kept brief and undisclosed for many years. Domestic issues faced by Karim Khan Zand and the inefficiency of his successors in handling internal affairs, resulted in the neglection of Russia’s influence over Caucasus and Caspian shores. Unlike the Safavid period, no attempts were made by the Zands towards the restoration of Iran’s sovereignty over Caucasus, and unlike the Afsharid period, the Iranian government made no strong declarations of hegemony over these regions. This research aims to clarify Iranian-Russian affairs between the years of 1747 and 1785 through a descriptive-analytical approach, and elucidate how permanent occupation in internal affairs and lack of comprehensive policies towards the consolidation of authority, resulted in the loss of sovereignty over Caucasus and autonomy in the region, which in turn enabled foreign rule over the area