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The Plunder of the Venetian Merchants' Caravan in Lar and its Consequences on the Evolution of Shah Abbas I's Foreign Policy:From the Conquest of Lar to the Seizure of Bahrain and Hormuz

Document Type : pajoheshi

Author

Islamic Studies,, Literature and Humanities, Faculty,Jahrom,,Jahrom, iran

10.30473/lhst.2026.76297.3026

Abstract

Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty can be regarded as a commercially oriented and development-minded ruler. During his reign, Iran’s foreign trade relations experienced remarkable growth. His foreign policy was centered on eliminating obstacles to international trade and firmly establishing absolute control over key trade routes to ensure their security. Beyond relying on traditional commercial pathways, Shah Abbas sought to break free from Ottoman dominance over land routes by securing control over the shores of the Persian Gulf and its islands, while simultaneously playing an active role in the emerging maritime trade spurred by the discovery of new sea routes. This opportunity arose following the destruction of Venetian merchant assets in the Lār region and Shah Abbas’s subsequent legal claims against the Republic of Venice. But why was the fate of these merchants so significant to Shah Abbas? Based on a re-examination of previously overlooked Italian-language sources, this study demonstrates that Shah Abbas—having repeatedly pledged to Venetian authorities through various envoys to serve as a powerful protector of merchants—launched a calculated campaign to conquer Bahrain, Lār, Gombrun, and Hormuz. This was not only aimed at securing and controlling vital trade routes but also at extending the reach of his authority to the shores of the Persian Gulf, thereby asserting his power and enhancing his credibility on the international stage.

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References
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Research Journal of Iran Local Histories
Volume 13, Issue 2 - Serial Number 26
April 2026
Pages 170-183
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