Sephardim in Iran
According to Jacob Gråberg, in the 1490s two Portuguese Jews visited Baghdad and Hormuz. They were able to confirm that it was possible to reach India by circumnavigating Africa. This was reported back to the King of Portugal who, in 1497, despatched Vasco de Gama. This led to the establishment of the Portuguese presence in India. Other more credible sources suggest that Pero da Covilhã and Afonso de Paiva were Catholic diplomats rather than Jews. Paiva died on the mission. Covilhã met two Jews – Rabbi Abraham of Beja, and Joseph, a shoe-maker of Lamego – sent from Portugal – in Cairo. Joseph was sent back to Portugal, whilst Abraham travelled with Covilhã to Aden and Hormuz.
Baghdad wasn’t conquered by the Safavid Iranians until 1508. At the time it was controlled by a Turkic warlord. It was later captured by the Ottoman Turks.