Changes

The Iranian constitution calls for a Presidential election once every four years (in practice, the year following Presidential elections in the United States).  Candidates are selected by the [[Guardian Council]], an unelected clerical body.  Presidents are limited to two terms as in the United States.  While since 1981 no Iranian President has been defeated for reelection, elections lacking an incumbent have been quite lively, as was the 2005 election, which Ahmadinejad only won at the runoff stage.

The Iranian constitution calls for a Presidential election once every four years (in practice, the year following Presidential elections in the United States).  Candidates are selected by the [[Guardian Council]], an unelected clerical body.  Presidents are limited to two terms as in the United States.  While since 1981 no Iranian President has been defeated for reelection, elections lacking an incumbent have been quite lively, as was the 2005 election, which Ahmadinejad only won at the runoff stage.

Beginning in 2004, U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] is reported to have signed a series of Executive Orders initiating covert operations aimed at destabilizing the Iranian regime.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/library/news/2009/intell-090113-rferl01.htm ''Reports Suggest Obama Faces Early Choice On Iran Covert Ops''], Ron Synovitz, Globalsecurity.org January 13, 2009.</ref> The CIA was authorized to supply communications equipment which would enable opposition groups in Iran to work together and bypass internet censorship by the clerical regime.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1552784/Bush-sanctions-black-ops-against-Iran.html ''Bush sanctions 'black ops' against Iran''], London Telegraph, 27 May 2007.</ref>  During the domestic unrest following the post-election protests in which opposition groups accused the regime of rigged elections, U.S. Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] urged Twitter networking service to keep the system running, leading to complaints from Iran's government. Protesters used Twitter to communicate amid the clampdown.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fgw-twitter18-2009jun18,0,5845567.story ''Hillary Clinton defends Twitter efforts for Iran''], L.A. Times,  June 17, 2009.</ref>

Beginning in 2004, U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] is reported to have signed a series of Executive Orders initiating covert operations aimed at destabilizing the Iranian regime.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/library/news/2009/intell-090113-rferl01.htm ''Reports Suggest Obama Faces Early Choice On Iran Covert Ops''], Ron Synovitz, Globalsecurity.org January 13, 2009.</ref> The CIA was authorized to supply communications equipment which would enable opposition groups in Iran to work together and bypass internet censorship by the clerical regime.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1552784/Bush-sanctions-black-ops-against-Iran.html ''Bush sanctions 'black ops' against Iran''], London Telegraph, 27 May 2007.</ref>  During the domestic unrest following the post-election protests in which opposition groups accused the regime of rigged elections, U.S. Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] urged Twitter networking service to keep the system running, leading to complaints from Iran's government. Protesters used Twitter to communicate amid the clampdown.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fgw-twitter18-2009jun18,0,5845567.story ''Hillary Clinton defends Twitter efforts for Iran''], L.A. Times,  June 17, 2009.</ref>

In the Iranian presidential elections of 2013, the reformist [[Hassan Rouhani]] won.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/06/15/early-results-in-iran-presidential-election-give-reformist-backed-rowhani-wide/</ref> Rouhani wants to improve the relationships with the USA and Israel. But it does make no difference because the real power got Ali Khamenei.<ref>http://frontpagemag.com/2013/davidhornik/the-islamic-republic-goes-to-the-polls/</ref>

In the Iranian presidential elections of 2013, the reformist [[Hassan Rouhani]] won.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/06/15/early-results-in-iran-presidential-election-give-reformist-backed-rowhani-wide/</ref> Rouhani wants to improve the relationships with the USA and Israel. But it does make no difference because the real power got Ali Khamenei.<ref>http://frontpagemag.com/2013/davidhornik/the-islamic-republic-goes-to-the-polls/</ref>

In 2015 [[President Barack Obama]] negotiated an [[Iranian nuke deal]] allowing Iran to build [[nuclear weapons]] in 13 years. In 2018 [[President Donald Trump]] rescinded the deal.

In 2015 [[President Barack Obama]] negotiated an [[Iranian nuke deal]] allowing Iran to build [[nuclear weapons]] in 13 years. In 2018 [[President Donald Trump]] rescinded the deal.

===Ancient===

===Ancient===

* Allen, Lindsay. ''The Persian Empire'' (2005)

* Allen, Lindsay. ''The Persian Empire'' (2005)

* Holland, Tom. ''Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West'' (2007) [http://www.amazon.com/Persian-Fire-First-Empire-Battle/dp/0307279480/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259416793&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Holland, Tom. ''Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West'' (2007) [https://www.amazon.com/Persian-Fire-First-Empire-Battle/dp/0307279480/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259416793&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Katouzian, Homa. ''The Persians: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Iran'' (2009), scholarly survey

* Katouzian, Homa. ''The Persians: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Iran'' (2009), scholarly survey

*  Stierlin, Henri. ''Splendors of The Persian Empire'' (2006), art abd architecture

*  Stierlin, Henri. ''Splendors of The Persian Empire'' (2006), art abd architecture