Safavid- French Relations in the Period of Shah Sultan Hussein 1694-1722

Abstract

In the period of Shah Sultan Hussein 1694-1722, the Iranian- French relations have taken a new form. By means of such relations, the Iranian government attempted to get French military support. When Omani Arabs threatened Iran, the latter resorted to the French rather than getting support from the English and Portuguese. This change of cooperation represents the main factor in determining the nature of relations between them and then commercial advantages have given to the French. Nevertheless, the military cooperation have not accomplished because of certain conditions after the war of Spanish heredity. As a result, the relations have been limited to religious and economic treaties as well as relations. Hence, France opens a new phase of European competition in order to get markets to sell commercial products