Iranian monarchy
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One of the world's longest-lasting monarchies, the Iranian monarchy went through many transformations over the centuries, from the days of the Persian Empire to the establishment of modern day Iran.
The Shah of Iran was the hereditary ruler of the Iranian monarchy, though the phrase, when used by Westerners today, generally refers to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah. According to royal order of precedence, the Shah was equal in status to an Emperor. For most of its existence the Iranian monarchy had been an absolute monarchy, although there were attempts to reform it into a constitutional monarchy in the early 20th century and following World War II.
The modern Iranian monarchy was established in 1501 after the Safavid dynasty came to power under Shah Ismail I, and ended the so-called "fourth era" of political fragmentation. The monarchy was abolished in 1979 when a revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini pressured Mohammad Reza Pahlavi into exile, and established an Islamic Republic in its place.
For a list of monarchs ruling Iran, see list of kings of Persia.