> This is completely false when you're talking about Iran.
I wouldn't say completely false.
> An Iranian state has existed in more or less continuous form as an independent polity since the breakup of the Timurid Empire in ~1500.
More or less? Independent polity? You are independent or you are not independent. You can't be "more or less" independent than you can be "more or less" pregnant.
It certainly wasn't independent after it was invaded and conquered by the british and soviets? It certainly wasn't independent after the british and soviets installed their own puppet to rule over iran.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Soviet_invasion_of_Iran
Iran, china, india, etc all love to claim thousand years whatever. Perhaps culturally, historically, etc they have a point but neither iran, china, india, etc are old states.
I wouldn't say completely false.
> An Iranian state has existed in more or less continuous form as an independent polity since the breakup of the Timurid Empire in ~1500.
More or less? Independent polity? You are independent or you are not independent. You can't be "more or less" independent than you can be "more or less" pregnant.
It certainly wasn't independent after it was invaded and conquered by the british and soviets? It certainly wasn't independent after the british and soviets installed their own puppet to rule over iran.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Soviet_invasion_of_Iran
Iran, china, india, etc all love to claim thousand years whatever. Perhaps culturally, historically, etc they have a point but neither iran, china, india, etc are old states.