Crossword Genius

Aspire to reform an old country (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

persia

'an old country' is the definition.
(historical term for Iran)

'aspire to reform' is the wordplay.
'to reform' is an anagram indicator (letters in a new form).
'aspire' anagrammed gives 'PERSIA'.

(Other definitions for persia that I've seen before include "Old Iran" , "Old land" , "Former name of Iran" , "Iran, formerly" , "Aspire to this old country" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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