Iran (HM6)

Iran (not that long ago still "Persia") under Shah Reza can't get any rest. After the former leader of the Cossack's brigade had successfully putsched against the old Qajar dynasty in 1925, he started a huge Reform program. The education and Justice systems were reformed, the transiranian railroad built, general conscription introduced, foreign Banks nationalised, and especially the control of the central government over the country restored. Similar as Atatürk in Turkey, he had the country modernised, westernised, and secularised, referring to pre-islamic Persia with this. Since 1935, he demanded from the world – not uninfluenced by Nazi Germany, to which he had a good relationship – to call the country Iran („Land of the Aryans“) instead of Persia.

Although his rise was thanks to British help, he now tried to cut down the influence of Great Britain. Trying to use the USA as a counterweight to Britain and the Soviet Union failed. Nazi Germany took over this function instead and became the most important Partner of the Iran. After the start of World War II, Britain demanded entering the war on the Allies' side and evicting the many German advisors, to which the Shah only agreed to after long hesitation.

The country made a non-aggression pact with Turkey, Iraq, and Afghanistan, which is directed against the Soviet Union.

Only two thirds of about 15 Million inhabitants are ethnic Persians; in addition, there are many Azeri, Turkmenians and other Turkic people in the North and Northwest, Kurds in the West, Arabs in the Southwest, Baluchs in the Southeast, and other Minorities.