The end of World War II should have resulted in the end of the Allied joint occupation of Iran. However the Red Army refused to pull out from Iran. The local communists declared the Azerbaijan People's Government and the Kurdish Separatist Republic of Mahabad. This was one of the first conflicts of the Cold War.
Allied Occupation of Iran
Soon after Germany attacked the Soviet Union the Soviets and the Brits occupied large parts of natural Iran. This was necessary for the Allies because with Iran overrun supplies could be transported on land from British India to the Soviet Union. Iran had laid torn between the concurrent zones of influence of both Britain and Russia for a long time, but had managed until then to remain independent, despite several foreign interventions, by taking advantage of the rivalry between the two rival powers. Now that they stood together against Germany, nothing longer opposed a formal joint occupation of the country. The Allies agreed that they will leave Iran after the end of the War in 6 months. However the Soviets did not.
Azerbaijan People's Government
The Azerbaijani Democratic Party was created in 1945 in Gilan province. The ADP expanded throughout Iranian Azerbaijan, and initiated a local coup d'état with help from the Soviet army, who prevented the Iranian army from intervening. In the first week of September the ADP declared itself to be in control of entire Iranian Azerbaijan and promised democratic reforms. Though the Soviets initially supported the new autonomous entity and prevented the Iranian army from restoring governmental control over the area, it did not last for long. After the Soviet withdrawal, Iranian troops entered the region in December 1946 and Pishevari and his cabinet fled to the Soviet Union.
Kurdish Republic of Mahabad
This separatist state was declared in December 1945. The Kurdish forces were advised and organized by Soviet military officer Captain Salahuddin Kazimov. he Soviets extended their influence by sending at least 60 Kurds to Soviet Azerbaijan for additional military training. However this Republic only lasted for 2 years. In 1947 the leadership of the Republic was forced to flee to the Soviet Union.
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