The Persian famine of 1917–1918 caused deaths by starvation, and cholera, of as much as one quarter of the population living in the north of homeland. Although the research of Mohammad Gholi Majd alleges as many as 8–10 million died, across the whole nation, based on an alternate pre-famine Persian population estimate of 19 million, and diplomatic cables.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Persia was ruled by the Qajar dynasty, which suffered from weak central authority, corruption, and limited administrative capacity. The country was strategically important due to its location between British-controlled India, Russian territories, and the Ottoman Empire. As a result, foreign powers routinely interfered in Persian affairs. When World War I broke out in 1914, Persia declared neutrality. However, this neutrality was not respected. British, Russian, and Ottoman troops entered and occupied different regions of the country.
