Country that was my autocracy? (4)

I believe the answer is:

iran

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'country' is the definition.
(Iran is an example)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for iran that I've seen before include "Middle East country" , "Modern-day Persia" , "It was known as Persia until 1935" , "Iraq's neighbour" , "Previously known as Persia" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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