Beqay Zand

The year is 1779. Karim Khan, founder of the Zand Dynasty, ruler of Iran, the self-styled Advocate of the People, has died. He is succeeded, as in OTL, by his son, Mohammed Ali Khan. However, Mohammed Ali Khan, who died after a few months in OTL, does not die in this timeline. When his weak and lazy brother Abu al-Fath dies of a heart attack just like in real life, Mohammed Ali Khan remains the sole ruler of Iran.

Under Mohammed Ali, Zaki Khan never gains as much influence as he did in OTL, because Mohammed Ali is much more competent monarch than Abu Al-Fath. Mohammed Ali's soliders manage to kill Agha Mohammed Khan before he can escape and rally the Qajars, thus preventing the Qajars from posing a meaningful threat to the Zand Empire. Mohammed Ali continues his father's policies, and firmly establishes Zand control of Iran.