Iran occupies an
important position in the area commonly referred to as the Middle East. It
forms a bridgehead on the way to Central Asia, bars the way to India and points
the way to Africa and Europe. It was the world's first great empire with two
thousand five hundred year history. Iran has eluded foreign domination
notwithstanding its strategic location, which has made it an aspiration of all
would-be world conquerors. Iran's location as well as her oil marks is an
important element in the strategic and commercial considerations of the western
world