Pirouz Mojtahedzadeh, a prominent Iranian scholar of political geography, geopolitics, and international boundaries, passed away on October 15, 2026, at the age of 80. His decades of research on Iran’s borders, historical maps, and the Persian Gulf made him an influential figure in the study of Iran’s territorial history and regional geopolitics.
Born in 1946, Mojtahedzadeh devoted much of his academic career to examining how Iran’s modern boundaries were shaped by historical developments, regional conflicts, colonial policies, and competition among major powers. He taught at Iranian universities, including the University of Tehran and Tarbiat Modares University, and published extensively in Persian and English.
One of his most significant contributions was his research on the historical formation of Iran’s international borders. His 2007 book, Boundary Politics and International Boundaries of Iran, examined the origins and evolution of Iran’s boundaries with its neighbors, covering regions from the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea to Central Asia, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf. The work explored how historical treaties, territorial disputes, and geopolitical rivalries influenced the modern Iranian state.
Another important publication, The Small Players of the Great Game, examined the nineteenth-century rivalry between Britain and Russia and its consequences for Iran’s eastern territories. The book focused particularly on the formation of Afghanistan, the partitioning of Khorasan and Sistan, and the emergence of modern boundaries in eastern Iran. Rather than examining these developments solely through the perspectives of imperial powers, Mojtahedzadeh emphasized the experiences and roles of regional actors.
Historical maps, geographical records, diplomatic correspondence, and archival documents were central to his research. He made extensive use of historical cartography and British archival materials to trace changes in Iran’s borders and investigate competing territorial claims. His work helped bring historical documents and maps into contemporary academic discussions about Iran’s territorial geography.
The Persian Gulf occupied a particularly important place in his scholarship. In his 1999 book, Security and Territoriality in the Persian Gulf: A Maritime Political Geography, he examined the relationship between maritime boundaries, territorial sovereignty, and regional security. The book addressed the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, maritime boundary disputes, and the historical and legal arguments surrounding Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb.
Mojtahedzadeh also conducted extensive research into the historical use of the name Persian Gulf, drawing on ancient geographical writings, historical maps, and Arab-Islamic geographical sources. He consistently defended the historical name in academic publications and public discussions, arguing that geographical terminology should be grounded in documented historical evidence.
His research on Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb also became a prominent part of his academic legacy. Through books, articles, and archival investigations, he presented historical and geographical arguments supporting Iran’s sovereignty over the islands, which are also claimed by the United Arab Emirates.
While his interpretations and public positions sometimes generated debate, his scholarship contributed to a substantial body of research on Iran’s borders, territorial history, and geopolitical position.
Mojtahedzadeh leaves behind an important academic legacy, particularly in the study of historical maps, international boundaries, and the Persian Gulf. His publications will remain valuable resources for scholars and students seeking to understand the historical forces that shaped Iran’s territory and its relations with neighboring countries.
NIAC extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, students, and the broader Iranian academic community. We honor his decades of scholarly dedication and his contributions to preserving and documenting Iran’s geographical and historical heritage.