Possible Clues:

• The - came down like the wolf on the fold (Byron)
• Like a wolf on the fold - what a comedown for him!
• Iran says it's uneasy with an ancient neighbour
• Old middle eastern type says Iran must be reformed
• Fool your boy with ancient language
• Beast set up insubstantial northern empire of old
• How silly I would be with Ryan around the old folk
• For example, year I spent in hospital — one in Iraq once
• Second year held by continental of an ancient empire
• Like an old civilisation rains, say, destroyed