ABSTRACT

Relations between Iranians and Russians are a part of the relations between the world of Islam and the world of Christianity, which have a long and uneasy history. Misinterpretation has been a hallmark of these relations since the emergence of Islam in the seventh century and the early encounters in the medieval period when Islam was the dominant force. The balance of power has swung throughout the centuries – at times the Christian world had to respond to Muslim challenges in various forms, while at other times it was the Muslims who had to react to Christian initiatives. By the nineteenth century, the images and perceptions of each side toward the other were developing in the context of European colonialism and an increasingly unequal power relationship.