Tarikh Islam

Assistant Professor of History in Shiraz University Because of waging wars against European countries, Ottomans under sultan Suleyman tried not to use gunboat diplomacy in dealing with Iran and even refrained from instigating Uzbeks against Safavids. However, when they were disengaged from European wars on the one hand. and hostihty between the Uzbecks and the shi'i sect (Iran) was intensified by political and religious differences on the other both Ottomans and Uzbeks launched synchronous attacks on both western and eastern frontiers of Iran. Comman language, race and religion as well as the idea of revival of caliphate were among the factors uniting Ottomans and Uzbeks against Safavids' religious and political claims. This study investigates the manner of and the reason for unification of Ottomans and Uzbeks under Safavid Shah Tahmasp. This article is intended to study sultan Syleyman's policy regarding Iran and especially his diplomacy in dealing with Uzbeks of Transoxania, and enumerate the consequences of the unification of the two Sunni governments in eastern and western Iran for Safavid state. In effect, this study seeks to review some of the internal relations in Muslim world during 10th / 16th century