Why do Iran and Iraq have similar names?

Iran, pronounced “​ih-RON” instead of “AY-ran” roughly translates in English to mean “Land of the Aryans” while the name Iraq, similarly pronounced “ih-ROCK” instead of “AY-rack” comes from an Uruk (Erech) word for “city.” Both countries have also been known by different names, Persia for Iran and Mesopotamia for Iraq.

Did the British colonize Iran?

While the UK never colonized Iran, they did shape the modern Iranian state during the so-called “Great Game” between the British Empire and the Russian Empire in the Middle East. In the 19th Century the pair fought a war over control of Herat, now in Afghanistan. The British army won.

Was Azerbaijan part of the Soviet Union?

While the northern part of Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan Republic after the communist Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the southern part stayed under the Qajars. They were replaced by the Persian-origin Pahlavi dynasty, the founding family of current Iran, in the early 20th century.

Is greater Azerbaijan a threat to Iran’s security?

The political argument of Greater Azerbaijan has long been a threat for the Iranian establishment, which has used its support of Armenia as a counter-measure to minimise Azeri aspirations in Iran and across the region, says Yalinkilicli.

Is Iran quietly backing Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Iran seems to be quietly backing Armenia in the conflict. Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh are already a geopolitical flashpoint between Russia, which supports Yerevan, and Turkey, which supports Baku.

What happened to the Soviets in Iran after WW2?

In the aftermath of the occupation of Iran, those Allied forces agreed to withdraw from Iran within six months after the cessation of hostilities. However, when this deadline came in early 1946, the Soviets, under Joseph Stalin, remained in Iran.