Iran
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Iran is a country in the Middle East. It was formerly known as Persia, then changed its international name to be closer to the native language word for the country.
It is attempting to develop a nuclear weapon, despite international pressure to prevent this.[1]
Persia was a major player in the ancient world, often controlling a large area from India in the east to Israel and Greece in the west. Cyrus the Great was a notable leader, remembered favorably due to his fair treatment of conquered populations.
Persias fortunes declined after contact with the Greek city states in the 5th century B.C., when their invasion under Xerxes was repulsed.
Under Darius, Persia was defeated by Alexander the Great, and large parts of the empire were Hellenized.
Persia regained independence, but centuries of conflict with the Roman Empire weakened it, opening it up to conquest by the Arabs in the 600s. Islam was gradually adopted after that. Once mostly Zoroastrians, the majority now are Shiite Muslims.
In the 1200s, Mongol invasions greatly reduced the population.
Iran was important as a supply route to the Soviet Union during World War II and as an oil producer.
It was ruled by the Shah for a few decades before a revolution in 1979, when a theocratic regime took control of the government.
