The Soviet Union and revolutionary Iran / Aryeh Yodfat.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 150-163) and index.

1. Russia{u2019}s Old Regime {u2013} Persia {u2018}Slipped Out of Russian Hands{u2019} 2. The Soviet Regime {u2013} Between Good Neighbourliness and Intervention (1917-1953) 3. The Soviet Union and the Shah{u2019}s Regime {u2013} Attempts to Win and Influence (1953-1978) 4. The Soviets and the Fall of the Shah{u2019}s Regime (1978-January 1979) 5. The Soviets and the First Stages of the Islamic Revolution (February {u2013} November 1979) 6. The Islamic Republic: The Soviets See Chances and Oppotunities (November 1979-September 1980) 7. Iran at War: Closer to the Soviets but Still Distant and Unapproachable (September 1980-end 1982) 8. Rifts with Moscow Growing Again: The Soviets Waiting for Options.

Relations between the USSR and Iran during the period from the overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of the Islamic Republic up to early 1983 are reviewed in this book. It begins with a brief survey of Russian-Persian relations in earlier years, with a focus on the developments that served as a background to the current events. It examines Soviet attitudes and reactions to Iran{u2019}s foreign and internal policy and highlights the way in which the Soviets often raise events of which they do not approve in order to draw Iran closer to them. In particular, the book discusses the Soviet response to the Iran-Iraq war and the position of the Tudeh Party and the other leftists within Iran. Iran{u2019}s policy towards the USSR is treated at length and it is shown that it is suspicious of a tacit USA-USSR agreement over the fate of Iran. Khomeini{u2019}s attempts to isolate Iran from both East and West are also reviewed. This book was one of the first to discuss this crucial dimension in Middle East politics and it makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the forces driving the Iranian Revolution.

Reprint. Originally published: London : Croom Helm, 1961.