Persia (now Iran) is a country in south-west Asia. In the 19th century both Russia and Britain were keen to increase their influence over the Qajar dynasty in Persia. A revolution in December 1905 resulted in the introduction of modern reforms. Two years later Russia and Britain negotiated a new agreement with the Persian government. The Anglo-Russian Entente divided the country into sphere of interest, giving Britain economic control of the south and Russia the north. There was also a neutral zone in the centre that included Tehran. In 1909 the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (later BP) was founded and this helped to reinforce Britain's control over the southern part of Persia.
