[archy]

They have been that way since Alexander of Macedonia stomped Darius III into the dirt in 333 BC. Essentially, Macedonia simply absorbed all of the Persian empire of the time.

I also seem to recall a visit to the then-Persian capital city of Baghdad by the Mongols under Hulegu Khan around 1257-1258, effectively ending the 500-year Abbasid caliphate then headed by Al-Musta'sim.

I suppose the Iranians/Persians sent a strongly-worded whimper about that little disturbance to their preferred way of doing things, too.

[PzLdr]

That was after his leisurely tour of Assasin strongholds in the mountains.

[Cronos]

I also seem to recall a visit to the then-Persian capital city of Baghdad by the Mongols under Hulegu Khan around 1257-1258,
Ryou're wrong about that:

In 1255, Hulagu, the child of Tolui and Sorghaghtani Beki, a Christian woman, was sent by his brother Mongke (who was Great Khan from 1251-1258) to conquer or destroy the remaining Muslim states in southwestern Asia. His mother was a passionate Nestorian Christian, as was his wife, Dotuz Khatun, and his closest friend and general, Kitbuqa. Their influence was said to have instilled in him a deep animosity against Muslims — unusual for the generally tolerant Mongol Empire — along with a contrasting desire to assist Christians. He was also passionate with Persia and its culture, the reason why he became the Khan of Persia under Ilkhanate dynasty. The Persian influence was another factor that encouraged Hulagu to attack the Arabs. Hulagu always had many Persian chancellors, whom wished to take revenge from Arabs for their conquest of Persia centuries ago and also because Persia was long time enemy of Abassid caliphate. [1]