Iran is in an interesting position. The Ottomans are already declining to the west, but from the north, east, and south the Russians and British are closing in. In our history soon after 1800 Iran loses the caucasus, and then endures a century of being a buffer state, and occasional road and railway, for foreign empires.
Could Iran have plausibly kept about it's 1800 territory, or even expanded?
Could Iran have developed (politically, economically, technologically) to the level of a western european state, or Japan or South Korea?
A few points that make a powerful Iran seem likely to me:
Nationalism and pan-nationalism were popular in that era, and might suggest the kurds and other iranic peoples should be Iranian. Pretty much any Iran or Persian state that establishes itself will claim itself the successor of one prior state or another, giving it 'legal' claims of ownership over a wide area.
Central Iran is fairly wealthy in natural resources, especially once oil is discovered. Neighbouring areas that might be included in a greater Iran will increase this wealth, and may even lead to a near monopoly on oil, with considerable global influence from that alone.
OTL Iran seems to have had an unusual amount of misfortune in the past 2 centuries, including occupation, famine, and being sanctioned by the largest economy for decades. Strengthening Iran doesn't necessarily have to include fortunate events, just fewer misfortunes.
Could Iran have plausibly kept about it's 1800 territory, or even expanded?
Could Iran have developed (politically, economically, technologically) to the level of a western european state, or Japan or South Korea?
A few points that make a powerful Iran seem likely to me:
Nationalism and pan-nationalism were popular in that era, and might suggest the kurds and other iranic peoples should be Iranian. Pretty much any Iran or Persian state that establishes itself will claim itself the successor of one prior state or another, giving it 'legal' claims of ownership over a wide area.
Central Iran is fairly wealthy in natural resources, especially once oil is discovered. Neighbouring areas that might be included in a greater Iran will increase this wealth, and may even lead to a near monopoly on oil, with considerable global influence from that alone.
OTL Iran seems to have had an unusual amount of misfortune in the past 2 centuries, including occupation, famine, and being sanctioned by the largest economy for decades. Strengthening Iran doesn't necessarily have to include fortunate events, just fewer misfortunes.