WI: Safavid Persian Empire in 20th century

The Safavid Empire ruled Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and parts of several other countries including Syria and Turkey in the 18th century.

Safavid_Empire_1501_1722_AD.png

Safavid Iran at its' height

This is a scenario where Safavid Iran managed to survives into 20th century, rather than collapsed and usurped by the Afsharids.

What would the world be like today if the Safavid Empire still existed in the modern world? And how would it fared in 20th century?
 
This is not something for the post-1900 forum.

The Safavid Empire died out in the early third of the 1700s, so its continued survival would have required a PoD of 1700 or earlier. As such, this would probably be best moved to the pre-1900 forum.

Thank you.
 
Closest thing would be the Qajar collapse like OTL, but one of the prominent figures involved is a descendent of the Safavids and he manages to bully his way to power instead of Reza Pahlavi and declares the restoration of the Safavids. I'd assume there's still a number of Safavid descendants running around Iran to this day, although unlike the Qajars I don't believe there's any recognized head of the family.
 
The Safavid Empire ruled Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and parts of several other countries including Syria and Turkey in the 18th century.

Safavid_Empire_1501_1722_AD.png

Safavid Iran at its' height

This is a scenario where Safavid Iran managed to survives into 20th century, rather than collapsed and usurped by the Afsharids.

What would the world be like today if the Safavid Empire still existed in the modern world? And how would it fared in 20th century?

With these borders?
 
Top