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Russian Tsars have a habit of coming up with ambitious plans that would shake the world. Tsar Paul Came up with a plan during the Napoleonic wars to send tens of thousands of French and Russian troops to British India, Alexander I had plans to bring Sweden into a Client Status with the Russian Empire, and Alexander III had almost set up a Russian colony in Ethiopia.

But Catherine the Great had many ambitious plans. One was to join with Russia to finally defeat the Ottomans, and for a revived Byzantine Empire in control of the Straits, and Greek Majority lands. One of her Generals even planned a Far Eastern War, by taking Manchuria, and Mongolia from the Qing (she did not support this, however, it shows the ambitious position her empire was able to reach to.)

But one of her most ambitious plans was her last plan, last war, and last legacy of her name.

Agha Mohammad Khan was one of Persia's most intelligent, brutal, powerful, and passionate Shah's in its history. He had united all of Iran back to what the Safavids used to have many decades ago in around 16 years. He took the fragments of Nadir Shah and returned it to prestige. However, right after unification, the Russians started encroaching on the Caucasus.

Catherine the Great had many issues with the Khan since 1781 and 1782, in both times the Russians attempted to set up a fort near the vicinity of the Khan's realm while he was fighting other Khan's for control.

Catherine the Great knew Agha Mohammad Khan was going to be a major thorn in the Russian Empire until he was dead. If he was not deposed, he could possibly become another threat against the Ottomans, and could possibly ally with the British to oppose Russia. Agha was too much of a wildcard to be kept alive.

Agha Mohammad's brother Morteza Qoli Khan fleed to Russia and surrendered himself to Catherine the Great. He pushed for an invasion of Iran and offered to fulfill the place of Agha Mohammad Khan, and be an ally of the Russians. This was also promised with the Provinces of Mazandaran, Gilan, and Golestan.

Due to the outbreak of the French Revolution, Catherine the Great Was not fully ready to contribute to the idea, however, she did eventually accept in 1796 with the Persian expedition.

While Russia did not succeed in its goals, I would like to imagine a world where they do succeed, and Qoli Khan is installed as Shah of Persia. What would be the effects?
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