This website is accessible to all versions of every browser. But if you see this message, your browser doesn't support all of today's Web standards and can't properly display the site's design details. You can still read text below, but for a better experience, upgrade your browser and come back to KnowledgeNews.

You are here: home > world tour

Getting to Modern Iran

Ayatollah Khomeini will give you directions

If you want to get to modern Iran, you have to go through Safavids, Qajars, Russians, and Brits. Oh, and the CIA, too. Not to mention Ayatollah Khomeini.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Iran's Shia Safavids waged a war for Muslim hearts and minds against the Sunni Ottoman Turks. They enjoyed some successes in the intermittent struggle. They even conquered Iraq. But eventually their empire fell into decline--especially after Safavid shahs levied heavy taxes to finance lavish lifestyles rather than Shia jihad.

Members, read this article now

Get it as an easy-print PDF

Friends, if you're not a member:

Join us now
or
Start a free trial of our learning service

E-mail this page

Printer-friendly page

World Tour