Island controlled by one Middle East citizen (5)

I believe the answer is:

irani

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'middle east citizen' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'island controlled by one' is the wordplay.
'island' becomes 'i'.
'controlled' becomes 'ran' (I've seen this in other clues).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'i'+'ran'+'i'='IRANI'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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