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.
These occupations disrupted daily life, agriculture, and trade, setting the stage for widespread famine. Occupying armies requisitioned large amounts of grain, livestock, and other food supplies to feed their troops. This left civilians with little access to basic necessities. Fighting destroyed farmland, irrigation systems, and villages. Many farmers were forced to flee their land, leading to a sharp decline in food production.
