Under
Nader Shah, Iran was one of the most powerful states in the 18th century,
[26] though by the 19th century, a series of
conflicts with the Russian Empire led to significant territorial losses.
[27][28]The
Iranian Constitutional Revolution in the early 20th century created a
constitutional monarchy and the country's
first legislature.
A 1953 coup instigated by the United Kingdom and the United States resulted in greater
autocratic rule under
Mohammad Reza Shah and growing Western political influence.
[29] A far-reaching series of reforms known as the
White Revolution was launched by the Shah in 1963, prompting industrial growth, land reforms, and increased
women's rights.
[30] Nevertheless, widespread dissatisfaction and unrest against the monarchy persisted, leading to the
1979 Revolution, which established the existing
Islamic republic.
[31] For most of the 1980s, Iran fought
a war with Iraq that resulted in severe casualties and economic devastation for both sides.
