Iran

What is Iran like?

Iran is a predominantly Shia Muslim but non-Arab country, with important oil reserves.

Where is Iran?

Iran lies on the east of the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. It borders Iraq and Turkey along its western border.

What is the history of Iran?

Some of the important moments in the history of Iran were:

• ❖ Before the Second World War, Iran was ruled by a Shah but its oil was controlled by the British Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.
• ❖ In 1953, the nationalist prime minister Mohammed Mossadeq nationalised Iran's oil industry. However, Britain and the US worked with the shah and pressured Iran into giving them 40% of the oil.
• ❖ By the 1970s, opposition to the shah had grown in Iran. This was led by the Islamic scholar, Ayatollah Khomeini.
• ❖ In 1978 strikes and demonstrations against the Shah developed into the Islamic Revolution of 1979.