Persia, ostensibly neutral, had long been under the spheres of British and Russian influence. The Ottomans and Germans were aided by Kurdish and Azeri forces, together with a large number of major Iranian tribes, such as the Qashqai, Tangistanis, Lurs, and Khamseh, while the Russians and British had the support of Armenian and Assyrian forces. The Persian campaign was to last until 1918 and end in failure for the Ottomans and their allies.

Since this required them to move quickly, mobilization orders were issued that afternoon. However, this was largely driven by Prime Minister Asquith’s desire to maintain unity; he and his senior Cabinet ministers were already committed to supporting France – more resources – , the Royal Navy had been mobilised, and public opinion was strongly in favour of intervention. At a meeting on 29 July, the British cabinet had narrowly decided its obligations to Belgium under the 1839 Treaty of London did not require it to oppose a German invasion with military force.

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