Modern Iran

Modern Iran

In 1921 Reza Khan became dictator and in 1935 the country was formally named Iran. Until 1979 the shah, although authoritarian, brought about economic and social modernization through pro-Western policy. Religous tensions grew in Iran and the shah went into exile. In 1979 the dominant religious leader, Khomeini, came into power.
This ornate building is the tomb of Imam Reza in Mashhad, Iran. [BM] {UA}