A general theory of solid-state diffusion in strained systems is developed on a molecular-kinetic basis. The theory predicts that for simple strains the diffusion coefficient is an exponential function of the lattice parameter and that the rate of change of the diffusion coefficient with strain is linearly related to the interatomic forces. It has also been shown that for plastic flow the diffusion coefficient is a linear function of strain rate. All the conclusions are confirmed by the data available in the literature.