The new shah was Ismail II who changed the peaceful policy towards Ottomans and began hostilities in the border area.

Meanwhile, the governor of Lorestan, a part of Persia, took refuge in Ottoman lands, an event which further created tension between the two empires.

İsmail II soon died and during the interregnum following his death, the Ottoman Porte decided to declare war.

After initial combat in so-called Cambaz Çukuru,[3] the main battle was around a small fort named Çıldır in north-eastern Anatolia.

Tokhmak Khan also had a Georgian army under his command, Georgia being a Persian vassal (and its royal families being related by marriage).