In the ancient world, the land that would become known as Iran was known as Persia.

1. In the ancient world, the land that would become known as Iran was known as Persia.

2. In 1935, the land became officially known as Iran.

3. Iran was rich in oil and oil had attracted the British and the Russians.

4. In fact, the British and Russians had divided Iran into spheres of influence in 1907.

5. The U.S. also became increasingly interested in Iran after the Second World War.

6. In 1953, the U.S. and Great Britain helped overthrow the Prime Minister of Iran.

7. Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossaddegh, was not openly hostile to the Communists.

8. And during the Cold War, the Prime Minister’s views were considered a threat to American interests.

9. By the time, Mossadegh nationalized the oil fields, the C.I.A. took action and removed him from power.

10. In the Prime Minister’s place, Shah Reza Pahlavi was installed as the new leader of Iran.

11. The Shah encouraged Westernization and secularism.

12. The Shah cracked down on dissenters.

13. But the Shah was unpopular and an opposition movement led by Ayatollah Khomeini became very popular.

14. By 1979, the Shah had been ousted, Americans had been taken hostages in Iran, and the Ayatollah came to power.

15. An Islamic fundamentalist government was established.

16. In this fundamentalist, Islamic theocracy, women were forced to cover their bodies and were segregated from men in public.

17. Freedom of speech and assembly were restricted.

18. After the 2009 elections, protests erupted in Iran for democracy.

19. But protesters were harshly punished.

20. Yes, the history of Iran is a history of many changes.