Iran

[Stealthtube]

Has iran ever lost a war in it's history of been iran ?

[Clanad]

The country formerly known, almost throughout history as Persia hasn't been known as 'Iran' until fairly recently. In 1935, it made the request of countries with which it had diplomatic relations, to henceforth call it "Iran".

From early in it's post-Persian history, Iran has had a turbulent past. In 1971, the western backed (I think his wife was an American) Shah of Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi left Iran on the supposed basis of ill health. The exiled Ayatollah Khomeini returned a month later. The Islamic Republic of Iran was established later that year. Immediately, conflict and confrontation with the west began in earnest.

The Iran-Iraq war began in about 1979 and ended with a cease-fire in 1988 with no clear winner although both sides lost thousands of civilans and soldiers. So... Iran has not been involved in a "war" since it's recognition as "Iran", but fought to a draw the better armed and supplied (by the West) Iraq...

[johnlambert]

Clanad, I think the Shah left in '78 or early '79

[Clanad]

Your exactly right, John... thanks for that (I don't quite know how '9' changed to '1')

[MustafaTickl]

The Shahanshah was Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. He was married three times (1) Princess Fawzia of Egypt (2) Soraya Esfandiary, and (3) Farah Diba. Fawzia and Soraya were known as Malakeh (Queen) and Farah as Shahbanu (Empress). None were American (are you thinking of Queen Noor of Jordan 4th wife of the late King Hussein, Clanad?). I met with Queen Soraya many times.

[Clanad]

I'm sure you're right, Mustafa thanks for that. I remember a multi-page layout in National Geographic Magazine many years ago about the Shah and his family as well as the beautiful jewels and ancient Persian artifacts held by his family...

[maxximus]

http://www.moreorless.au.com/heroes/mossadegh. html

[jake-the-peg]

I see so when Clannad says Western backed what he means is that the UK and the US conspired to overthrow the existing ruler.

That's a great Euphamism

Rather looks like that was a bad idea in hindsight

[Clanad]

I appreciate that hind-sight is most always 20-20, Jake... but governments have always acted, for good or bad, on the information they have at the time. (Not unlike our personal conduct of our own lives). A crystal ball would be helpful, but absent that, the tenor of the times, especially considering actions by the U.S.S.R. the actions probably seemed reasonable, no?

[Stealthtube]

Thanks for the replys chaps so the basic answer is no!