The name Iran originated from the tribe of Aryan. These people occupied Persian during 1600 B.C. The history of Persia consists of numerous powerful leaders. In 550 BC, the famous Cyrus the Great took over one of the most powerful tribes, known as the Medes. This was when he founded the most powerful empire the world had ever heard of. This empire covered Babylonia, Syria and Asia Minor, Thrace, Macedonia and Egypt.
In late 4th century B.C, Cyrus’ empire was overthrown by a Greek general known as Alexander the great. Later on, Alexander’s empire was taken control of by the Perthians; Perthians in turn were replaced by Ardashir who founded the Sassanian Empire. In 640 AD, Persia was taken over by the Arabs who established the Islamic religion.
At the beginning of the 18th century, a well known figure in Iranian/Persian history Ardir Shah took over the control of the country of Iran for 20 years after when he was forced out from the power in 1747 and a new empire of rulers founded themselves. During this time, Persia/Iran was under threat from Russia.
Russia and Britain invaded Persia/Iran during World War 1. Afterwards, a senior army officer known as Colonel Reza Khan organized a military coup and with the support of British and Russians, he came to power in 1921.
Reza Khan became a prime minister of the new regime in 1923. In 1924, he negotiated the removal of the British forces, who were deployed in Iran during World War 1.
In 1925, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the oldest son of Reza Khan was crowned a prince after his father was made the official monarch of modern Iran. Reza Khan was forced to exile in 1953 but later one, he was restored to power. During his reign, he encouraged supported modernization and nationalism but by 1970, his restrict regime was become very unpopular and in 1979, a new regime led by Ayatollah Khomeini, sent the Shah into exile. He went to United States and during his time there he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer.
Iran Ruins
Iranian militants seized the American Embassy in Tehran and took hostages, they then demanded the extradition of Reza Khan in exchange of the hostages but the American government did not agree. Shah moved to Egypt where he died from cancer.