ManotoTVOn 12 December 1946, one of the most important chapters in modern Iranian history came to an end. After a year of Soviet-backed separatist rule in Iranian Azerbaijan and the formation of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan under Ja’far Pishevari, the Iranian army entered Tabriz and restored national sovereignty over the region.
This documentary looks back at the events that followed the Allied occupation of Iran during the Second World War, the Soviet Union’s refusal to leave northern Iran, the international pressure placed on Moscow through the newly formed United Nations, and the political negotiations led by Ahmad Qavam.
It also explores the role of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the Iranian army, and the people of Tabriz in ending the crisis. Using archive footage, historical narration, and rare material from the 21 Azar military ceremonies, the film revisits why this day became known as the Day of the Salvation of Azerbaijan — a symbol of Iran’s territorial integrity, national unity, and resistance against foreign-backed separatism.
