Treaty of Turkmenchay — agreement between Qajar Iran and Imperial Russia that concluded the Russo-Persian War of 1826–28
Ended the Russo-Persian War of 1826–28, forcing Iran to cede the South Caucasus to Russia and fixing the Aras River as the permanent border.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 22 February 1828
- Territories ceded
- Erivan, Nakhchivan, and remainder of Talysh Khanates
- Border established
- Aras River between Russia and Iran
- Russian signatory
- General Ivan Paskievich
- Iranian signatories
- Crown Prince Abbas Mirza and Allah-Yar Khan Asef al-Dowleh
- Duration of Russian/Soviet control
- Approximately 180 years
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Russia's decisive military victory in the Russo-Persian War of 1826–28 left Qajar Iran unable to resist Russian demands. General Paskievich threatened to march on Tehran within five days unless Iran's leadership accepted terms, effectively compelling the Qajar court to sign under duress.
The Treaty of Turkmenchay was signed on 22 February 1828 in the village of Torkamanchay, between Tabriz and Tehran. Iran ceded the Erivan Khanate, the Nakhchivan Khanate, and the remainder of the Talysh Khanate to Russia, with the Aras River established as the formal boundary between the two empires.
Russia completed its conquest of the Caucasian territories from Qajar Iran, incorporating lands corresponding to modern Armenia, Azerbaijan, and parts of Turkey. These territories remained under Russian and later Soviet control for roughly 180 years, until Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia gained independence following the Soviet dissolution in 1991.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Abbas Mirza, Allah-Yar Khan Asef al-Dowleh.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Ivan Paskievich.