Anglo-Soviet Invasion of Iran · Shahrivar-e Bist

Culture of origin: Iranian · Historical

Holiday sources: Iran

Britain and the Soviet Union invaded officially neutral Iran from Iraq, Soviet Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to secure supply lines to the USSR and Iran's oil, and to curb German influence. Iran's outmatched forces could offer little resistance, and the government agreed to surrender on 31 August. On 16 September 1941 Reza Shah was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Mohammad Reza, and Iran stayed under occupation until 1946.