Crossword Genius

I fled Middle Eastern country (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

iran

'middle eastern country' is the definition.
(country in the Middle East)

'i fled' is the wordplay.
'fled' becomes 'ran' (ran away).
'i'+'ran'='IRAN'

(Other definitions for iran that I've seen before include "Previously known as Persia" , "Country of western Asia" , "Islamic republic on the Persian Gulf" , "Formerly Persia" , "Iraq's neighbour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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