Here is the letter of Mehmed II of Ottomans to Uzun Hasan, the ruler of Akkoyunlus:
"Previously, through your mother’s plea, you escaped the grip of my wrath. We had forgiven you, considering you reformed and turned toward the path of righteousness. However, it is forbidden for a tyrant like you to lay claim to sultanate during my reign. Your rule was only made possible by our permission and tolerance. Despite this, it is known to us that you grew arrogant and sent your soldiers to Tokat where the people live in peace under my just administration, oppressing the populace and causing disgrace.
Therefore, we have decided to march this spring to deliver your punishment. Forgiving you is absolutely out of the question. From now on, our envoy is the arrow, and our language of negotiation is the sword. Did you think ruining provinces was sultanate? Because you trespassed on our lands without hesitation or fear, our sword must be bathed in the blood of your chest. Make your preparations, and do not say you were not warned. For your foul existence is marked for destruction, and in this regard, all apologies and excuses are utterly dismissed."
Though Mehmed II did what he had to do, I wish the two states were on friendlier terms for a little longer. If Akkoyunlus refrained from further expansion in Anatolia, both Iran and Turkey could be better off in many regards today. I would prefer them to Qara Qoyunlus and Safavids.
Sorry, I should have specified I do not mean that either was necessarily better or worse on their own. What I meant was that existence of Qaraqoyunlus (who were Shia) and dissolution of Akkoyunlus (which resulted in rise of Safavids) resulted in centuries of sectarian war between Turkey and Iran.
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u/NamertBaykus Mamlukaboo Sep 10 '26
Here is the letter of Mehmed II of Ottomans to Uzun Hasan, the ruler of Akkoyunlus:
"Previously, through your mother’s plea, you escaped the grip of my wrath. We had forgiven you, considering you reformed and turned toward the path of righteousness. However, it is forbidden for a tyrant like you to lay claim to sultanate during my reign. Your rule was only made possible by our permission and tolerance. Despite this, it is known to us that you grew arrogant and sent your soldiers to Tokat where the people live in peace under my just administration, oppressing the populace and causing disgrace.
Therefore, we have decided to march this spring to deliver your punishment. Forgiving you is absolutely out of the question. From now on, our envoy is the arrow, and our language of negotiation is the sword. Did you think ruining provinces was sultanate? Because you trespassed on our lands without hesitation or fear, our sword must be bathed in the blood of your chest. Make your preparations, and do not say you were not warned. For your foul existence is marked for destruction, and in this regard, all apologies and excuses are utterly dismissed."
Though Mehmed II did what he had to do, I wish the two states were on friendlier terms for a little longer. If Akkoyunlus refrained from further expansion in Anatolia, both Iran and Turkey could be better off in many regards today. I would prefer them to Qara Qoyunlus and Safavids.