Tahmasp I, Safavid ruler of Iran, had regularized relations with the Ottoman Empire through the Peace of Amasya in 1555. Amicable relations have continued between the Iranian shah and Selim II.

Tahmasp falls ill in 1574, and discord breaks out among the Qizilbash once more, this time over which prince is to succeed him.

The shah's Georgian and Circassian wives have also introduced a new faction into the court.

Seven of Tahmasp's surviving sons are by Georgian or Circassian mothers and two by a Turcoman.

Of the latter, Mohammed Khodabanda is regarded as unfit to rule because he is almost blind, and his younger brother, Ismail, has been imprisoned by Tahmasp since 1555.

One court faction nevertheless supports Ismail, while another backs Haydar Mirza, the son of a Georgian.

Tahmasp himself is believed to favor Haydar but he prevents his supporters from killing Ismail.