Mirza Saleh Shirazi | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Mirza Saleh Shirazi by Karl Hampeln, dated 1829 | |
| Born | c. 1790 |
| Died | c. 1845 |
| Known for | Publishing the first newspaper in Iran |
| Notable work | Safarnameh |
Mirza Saleh Shirāzi (Persian: میرزا صالح شیرازی; c. 1790 – c. 1845) was an Iranian court translator and diplomat, who published the first newspaper in Iran in 1837, the Kaghaz-e Akhbar (lit. "paper of news").
The son of a merchant, Mirza Saleh spent his early career in Tabriz, where he worked for the Iranian crown prince Abbas Mirza and his vizier Mirza Bozorg Qa'em-Maqam. Mirza Saleh was one of five courtiers of Abbas Mirza who earned scholarships and went to London between 1815 and 1819 under the direction of Colonel Joseph D'Arcy. When Mirza Saleh returned to Iran, Abbas Mirza appointed him as his translator. Because of his familiarity with Europe, he was used by Abbas Mirza as a companion and adviser in foreign political matters as well as a point of contact for European missionaries in Iran. As a part of numerous political delegations, Mirza Saleh was also frequently dispatched abroad. He was appointed as a diplomat to Great Britain in 1822.
Mirza Saleh was part of the faction that opposed another war with Russia, fearing the comparatively superior capability of the Russian Empire, and wanted armed conflict to be avoided at all costs. However, the faction that advocated for war prevailed, leading to the second Russo-Iranian War in 1826. The Iranians lost the war, and were forced to sign the Treaty of Turkmenchay on 28 February 1828, in which they agreed to cede Erivan and Nakhichevan. Mirza Saleh was amongst the figures who participated in the treaty negotiations on behalf of Iran.
Under Mohammad Shah Qajar (r. 1834–1848), Mirza Saleh served as the mostowfi-ye nezam (state accountant).