Iran has not always been as troubled as it is today. It was once seen as a champion of modernisation and a US ally. Today's conflicts are part of a longer-term cycle of openness and repression.
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Geography & power
Iran's geography is key to understanding its history. The country is ringed by mountain ranges, flanked by vast deserts, creating natural barriers that have made Persia almost impossible to conquer — but also kept its ethnic groups separate, necessitating centralised and often repressive governance.
Iran through time
Scrub the timeline to move through Iran's political history. Watch alliances shift, borders harden, and the mood of the nation change.
For the investor