Nation that was controlled by me (4)
I believe the answer is:
iran
'nation that' is the definition.
'iran' can be an answer for 'nation' (Iran is an example). I am unsure of the remainder of the definition.
'controlled by me' is the wordplay.
'controlled' becomes 'ran' (I've seen this in another clue).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'me' becomes 'I'.
'ran' put after 'i' is 'IRAN'.
'was' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for iran that I've seen before include "Tehran's country" , "Previously known as Persia" , "Modern Persia (4)" , "Country to east of Iraq" , "Country where ayatollahs replaced a shah" .)