1. Ancient Iran (Before Islam):
Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC)
Founded by Cyrus the Great.
First Persian Empire and one of the largest empires in ancient history.
Famous rulers: Darius I and Xerxes I.
Capital city included Persepolis.
Conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BC.
Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 AD)
Known for strong cavalry and resistance against the Roman Empire.

Sassanian Empire (224–651 AD):
The last Persian empire before Islam.
Powerful rival of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.
Fell after the Arab Muslim conquest in the 7th century.

2. Islamic Period (651–1500s):
After the Arab conquest:
Iran became part of Islamic caliphates.
Persian culture, language, and science flourished.
Famous scholars like Omar Khayyam and Avicenna lived during this era.
Later dynasties included:
Seljuks
Mongol Ilkhanate
Various Persian and Turkic rulers.

3. Safavid Empire (1501–1736):
Founded by Shah Ismail I
Made Shia Islam the official religion of Iran.
Established Iran’s modern national identity.

4. Qajar Dynasty (1789–1925):
Iran faced strong influence from Russia and Britain.
The Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911) created Iran’s first parliament.

5. Pahlavi Dynasty (1925–1979):
Founded by Reza Shah.
Focus on modernization and westernization.
Later ruled by his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
In 1953, a coup supported by the US and UK removed Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh after he nationalized the oil industry.

6. Islamic Republic of Iran (1979–Present):
In 1979, the Iranian Revolution overthrew the monarchy.
Led by Ruhollah Khomeini.
Iran became an Islamic Republic ruled by religious leadership.
Important events after that:
Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988)
Nuclear program disputes with Western countries
Economic sanctions and political tensions.