2006-12-12 22:40:26 · 8 answers · asked by mahdi g 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
It used to be called Persia. In classical times it was a mighty empire and had it conquered Greece we would be living in a very different world indeed.
2006-12-12 22:48:17 · answer #1 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Formerly called persia (till mid-30s). changed name to indicate Aryan ancestory. The only Middle eastern country which was not occupied wholly be any European powers during the last three centuries.
Persia was a vast empire before Christ was born and occupied most of the known world. It was a relatively fair and just empire which allowed it's people lots of freedom (including religion). It build the first "highway" and "mail" system.
Modern Iran was established by wealth from Oil resources (found in 1900's) by the British who gave only a marginal amount of money for their exploits. In 1953, Mosaddagh, a PM who was elected democratically kicked out the British and the King left. US CIA put the King back and deposed the "DEMOCRATICALLY" elected Mosadagh! (There goes all hopes of democracy in Mid east and start of US backing gov't that would protect US interest, read Oil and Israel).
The iranian people never forgave US for this intervention and kicked out the King again in 1979 with arrival of Khomeini and the taking of the US Embassy as hostage (where hundreds of documents were found that hinted at US's continued intervention and spying in the Iranian government).
I guess, US being the superpower thought it could bully anybody and get away with anything. Well so did the British, Spanish, Soviet and French empires in the preceeding centuries and the Roman and Egyptian empires in ancient times. I guess the only empire that was somewhat just in it's ruling was the old Persian Empire.
I hope we American's try to learn what is going on in Middle east is due to things we did over 50 years ago in Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Palestine.
2006-12-13 11:28:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Iran (help·info) (Persian: اÙرا٠, ĪrÄn), officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: جÙ
ÙÙØ±Û Ø§Ø³ÙاÙ
Û Ø§Ùرا٠, transliteration: JomhÅ«rÄ«-ye EslÄmÄ«-ye ĪrÄn), and formerly known as Persia in the West, is a southwest Asian country located in the Middle East. Iran borders Armenia, Azerbaijan (including its Nakhichevan exclave) and Turkmenistan to the north, Pakistan and Afghanistan to the east, and Turkey and Iraq to the west. In addition, it borders the Persian Gulf, across which lie Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Shi'a Islam is the official state religion and Persian the official language.
Iran is one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations. The history of Iran covers thousands of years, throughout history, Iran has been of great geostrategic importance because of its central location in Eurasia. Iran is a founding member of the United Nations, NAM, OIC, and OPEC. Iran is also significant in international politics on account of its large supply of petroleum. The name Iran is a cognate of Aryan and literally means "Land of the Aryans."
You could get more information from the link below...
2006-12-13 08:05:28 · answer #3 · answered by catzpaw 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
irans not a dangerous country as iranian people are very, very kind (ive been there many times). also, its the president who is a idiot (from me, a iranian)
2006-12-13 12:11:12 · answer #4 · answered by Boeing 777 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A rebellious country...cant completely discredit it's claim... and a very dangerous country with the potential to create nuclear warheads
2006-12-13 07:11:45 · answer #5 · answered by Eshwar 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The most powerful country in the Middle East..!!
2006-12-13 06:48:39 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. X 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran
2006-12-13 06:43:50 · answer #7 · answered by new_asker27 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tough country, which president is very tough yet humble.
2006-12-13 06:48:52 · answer #8 · answered by buzzrina 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋