Answer:
C. England
Explanation:
The Safavid dynasty ruled the territories that then were of Iran from 1501 to 1722, and had Iran as an important economic stronghold between the East an the West.
However, the Britiains, with their higher maritime power, managed to control the routes in the Indian Ocean and replaced the Safavids as this stronghold.
So the correct answer is:
C. England
