On March 21, 1935, the nation previously known to the West as Persia officially adopted the name Iran, a change initiated by Shah Reza Pahlavi. The Shah urged foreign governments to refer to the country as Iran rather than Persia at a diplomatic level, marking a significant shift in national identity. This change was also symbolically aligned with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, representing a fresh start for the nation.

The decision to rebrand the country was part of a larger modernization program undertaken by Shah Reza Pahlavi. Historically, the name Persia had been widely used in Western countries, stemming from the ancient region of Persis. By rebranding the nation as Iran, the Shah sought not only to elevate its international profile but also to move away from colonial associations tied to the name Persia, which had been prevalent across centuries.

The implications of this name change were profound, as it sought to establish a strong national identity rooted in the country's ancient history rather than under the colonial gaze of the West. This transition reflects the broader efforts to modernize Iran and assert its place on the world stage, showcasing the Shah's ambitions for his country during a tumultuous time in the region's history.