Persian Iraq (; ), also spelled
Persian Irak, is a historical term for the central-western region of
Iran, including cities such as
Isfahan,
Ray,
Qazvin, and
Kashan. From the 11th to 19th centuries, the name
Iraq referred to two neighbouring regions: Arabic Iraq (
ʿIrāq-i ʿArab) and Persian Iraq (
ʿIrāq-i ʿAjam). Arabic Iraq corresponded with ancient
Babylonia (now central-southern
Iraq), while Persian Iraq corresponded with ancient
Media (now central-western
Iran). The two regions were separated by the
Zagros Mountains.