Iran

<h2 id="name">Name</h2>
This section is an excerpt from <a href="/facts/Name_of_Iran/753SuPfg">Name of Iran</a>.[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Name_of_Iran&action=edit">edit</a>]

<a href="/facts/History_of_Iran/0Q0WRDqo">Historically, Iran</a> was commonly referred to as "Persia" in the <a href="/facts/Western_world/UQl4e7du">Western world</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> Likewise, the modern-day <a href="/facts/Ethnonym/fEFU3fYr">ethnonym</a> "Persian" was typically used as a <a href="/facts/Demonym/60W4pxKk">demonym</a> for all Iranian nationals, regardless of whether or not they were <a href="/facts/Persians/4GhM3jl2">ethnic Persians</a>. This terminology prevailed until 1935, when, during an international gathering for <a href="/facts/Nowruz/5Gounfnm">Nowruz</a>, the Iranian king <a href="/facts/Reza_Shah/3c5dNTrb">Reza Shah Pahlavi</a> officially requested that foreign delegates begin using the <a href="/facts/Iran_(word)/kj6dH5FT">endonym "Iran"</a> in formal correspondence. Subsequently, "Iran" and "Iranian" were standardized as the terms referring to the country and its citizens, respectively. Later, in 1959, Pahlavi's son <a href="/facts/Mohammad_Reza_Pahlavi/r2bcadLc">Mohammad Reza Pahlavi</a> announced that it was appropriate to use both "Persia" and "Iran" in formal correspondence.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a> However, the issue is still debated among Iranians.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a> A variety of scholars from the <a href="/facts/Middle_Ages/RqzEKB9v">Middle Ages</a>, such as the Khwarazmian polymath <a href="/facts/Al-Biruni/4XbTzrYl">Al-Biruni</a>, also used terms like "<a href="/facts/Xuniras/6uj3kxqm">Xuniras</a>" (<a href="/facts/Avestan_language/0b7tvGQs">Avestan</a>: Xvaniraθa-, transl. "self-made, not resting on anything else") to refer to Iran: "which is the center of the world, [...] and it is the one wherein we are, and the kings called it the <a href="/facts/Iranian_realm/tWa3u3Uv">Iranian realm</a>."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a>
<h2 id="history">History</h2>
Main article: <a href="/facts/History_of_Iran/0Q0WRDqo">History of Iran</a>
Further information: <a href="/facts/Timeline_of_Iranian_history/xyqhmSCB">Timeline of Iranian history</a>
<h3>Antiquity</h3>
Further information: <a href="/facts/Medes/T0ym7KJ2">Medes</a> and <a href="/facts/Indo-Iranians/gf5hW6No">Indo-Iranians</a>

Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuous major civilisations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4000 BC.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a> The western part of the Iranian plateau participated in the traditional <a href="/facts/Ancient_Near_East/Ipt8t839">ancient Near East</a> with <a href="/facts/Elam/qzj9ATAt">Elam</a> (3200–539 BC), and later with other peoples such as the <a href="/facts/Kassites/wVwot9jL">Kassites</a>, <a href="/facts/Mannaea/NRDthp78">Mannaeans</a>, and <a href="/facts/Gutians/ybh20Km0">Gutians</a>.
The <a href="/facts/Median_dynasty/T0ym7KJ2">Median dynasty</a> ruled the earliest Iranian state.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a> In 612 BC, <a href="/facts/Cyaxares/1oM246L9">Cyaxares</a> and the <a href="/facts/Babylonia/J4jjdUua">Babylonian</a> king <a href="/facts/Nabopolassar/B4SwYsw9">Nabopolassar</a> invaded <a href="/facts/Assyria/n9pMP48S">Assyria</a> and destroyed <a href="/facts/Nineveh/yl44Guzj">Nineveh</a>, the Assyrian capital, which led to the fall of the <a href="/facts/Neo-Assyrian_Empire/GzQ9HoXb">Neo-Assyrian Empire</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> The Medes later conquered and dissolved <a href="/facts/Urartu/xzkKwIJ2">Urartu</a> as well.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a> 

<h4>Achaemenid Empire</h4>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Achaemenid_Empire/avlzWxF0">Achaemenid Empire</a>

The <a href="/facts/Achaemenid_dynasty/avlzWxF0">Achaemenids</a> united all <a href="/facts/Persians/4GhM3jl2">Persian</a> tribes under <a href="/facts/Cyrus_I/m1nGqc8h">Cyrus I</a>'s son <a href="/facts/Cambyses_I/XPsLrEmV">Cambyses I</a>. Under Cambyses I's son, <a href="/facts/Cyrus_the_Great/0gB7KwSA">Cyrus II</a>, the Achaemenids defeated the Medes and established the <a href="/facts/Achaemenid_Empire/avlzWxF0">Achaemenid Empire</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> the largest ever Iranian state.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a> Cyrus II conquered the <a href="/facts/Lydia/zlta9sIJ">Lydian</a> and <a href="/facts/Neo-Babylonian_Empire/GfIPHmzs">Neo-Babylonian</a> empires, creating an empire far larger than Assyria. His comparatively benign policies helped to reconcile his subjects to Persian rule, prolonging the duration of the empire. The Persian king was also known as "<a href="/facts/King_of_Kings/K1FuJ5jX">King of Kings</a>", "<a href="/facts/Basileus/bSEmS54F">Megas Basileus</a>" (<a href="/facts/Greek_language/pzDd6eIz">Greek</a>: xšāyaθiya xšāyaθiyānām), and "Cyrus the Great." Cyrus's son, <a href="/facts/Cambyses_II/x87DlYw6">Cambyses II</a> (r. 530–522 BC), conquered the last major power of the region, <a href="/facts/Ancient_Egypt/BDsEGK4g">ancient Egypt</a>, causing the collapse of the <a href="/facts/Twenty-sixth_Dynasty_of_Egypt/7PPYC65S">Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt</a>.
After the death of Cambyses II, <a href="/facts/Darius_the_Great/SnfdjGyK">Darius I</a> (r. 522–486) ascended the throne by overthrowing the Achaemenid monarch <a href="/facts/Bardiya/W6CKsphs">Bardiya</a>. Darius' first capital was at Susa, and he started the building program at <a href="/facts/Persepolis/TmMBrPhX">Persepolis</a>. He improved the extensive road system, and during his reign the first recorded mentions are made of the <a href="/facts/Royal_Road/laBsSHRu">Royal Road</a>, a highway from Susa to <a href="/facts/Sardis/Kk8zXw4r">Sardis</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a>
In 499 BC, <a href="/facts/Classical_Athens/a3b6Hpbw">Athens</a> supported a revolt in <a href="/facts/Miletus/E2x1XLYY">Miletus</a>, resulting in the sacking of <a href="/facts/Sardis/Kk8zXw4r">Sardis</a>. This led to the <a href="/facts/Greco-Persian_Wars/avlfmxyh">Greco-Persian Wars</a>, which lasted the first half of the 5th century BC. In the <a href="/facts/First_Persian_invasion_of_Greece/6Mxd4wRq">First Persian invasion of Greece</a>, Persian general <a href="/facts/Mardonius_(general)/nmL6MS0Q">Mardonius</a> re-subjugated Thrace and made Macedon a full part of Persia.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> Darius' successor <a href="/facts/Xerxes_I/477I20nQ">Xerxes I</a> (r. 486–465) launched the <a href="/facts/Second_Persian_invasion_of_Greece/rKXGTbXq">Second Persian invasion of Greece</a>. At a crucial moment in the war, about half of mainland Greece was overrun by the Persians, including territories to the north of the Isthmus of <a href="/facts/Corinth/GtvbldxS">Corinth</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a> This was reversed by a Greek victory following the battles of <a href="/facts/Battle_of_Plataea/hPNRyzL2">Plataea</a> and <a href="/facts/Battle_of_Salamis/ug3o6zQy">Salamis</a>, during which Persia lost its footholds in Europe, and withdrew from it.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a>
The empire entered a period of decline. From 334 BC to 331 BC, <a href="/facts/Alexander_the_Great/8N3gLElj">Alexander the Great</a> defeated <a href="/facts/Darius_III/gX0QkWPh">Darius III</a> (r. 336–330 BC) in the battles of <a href="/facts/Battle_of_the_Granicus/D72uqxSv">Granicus</a>, <a href="/facts/Battle_of_Issus/9I3au7IL">Issus</a> and <a href="/facts/Battle_of_Gaugamela/xho15A2v">Gaugamela</a>, swiftly conquering the Achaemanid Empire by 331 BC. Alexander's empire broke up after his death, and Alexander's general, <a href="/facts/Seleucus_I_Nicator/51M948qG">Seleucus I Nicator</a>, tried to take control of Iran, <a href="/facts/Mesopotamia/f0mmbhTK">Mesopotamia</a>, and later <a href="/facts/Syria/7pDXGzq8">Syria</a> and <a href="/facts/Anatolia/vMkrLrPr">Anatolia</a>. His empire was the <a href="/facts/Seleucid_Empire/NSYMLBYa">Seleucid Empire</a>.

<h4>The Parthian and Sasanian Empires</h4>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Parthian_Empire/2Yxcllsk">Parthian Empire</a> and <a href="/facts/Sasanian_Empire/JvbRevkA">Sasanian Empire</a>
The Arsacids of <a href="/facts/Parthia/XMqSC1GT">Parthia</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a> initially Seleucid vassals,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a> originated as leaders of the Iranian<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a> <a href="/facts/Parni/S0qU2Uc7">Parni</a> tribe in the northeastern <a href="/facts/Steppe/IAako607">steppes</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a> The Parthians gradually <a href="/facts/Seleucid%25E2%2580%2593Parthian_Wars/GwoWa4NU">challenged</a> Seleucid rule over Iran, eventually securing control through the 142 BC conquest of <a href="/facts/Babylonia/J4jjdUua">Babylonia</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a> Although fighting continued, the death of <a href="/facts/Antiochus_VII_Sidetes/QaQxgRMS">Antiochus VII Sidetes</a> in 129 BC marked the collapse of the Seleucid Empire,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a> which then lingered on as a <a href="/facts/Rump_state/j965C8Kz">rump state</a> in Syria until conquered by the <a href="/facts/Roman_Empire/l4E1aUuV">Roman Empire</a> in the 60s BC.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30">30</a>

The Parthian empire endured for five centuries, but civil wars destabilized it. Parthian power evaporated when <a href="/facts/Ardashir_I/KP8w1rye">Ardashir I</a> revolted against the Arsacids and killed their last ruler, <a href="/facts/Artabanus_IV_of_Parthia/XzuANj8L">Artabanus IV</a>, in 224 AD. Ardashir established the <a href="/facts/Sasanian_Empire/JvbRevkA">Sasanian Empire</a>, which ruled Iran and much of <a href="/facts/Near_East/gD1vyGQI">Near East</a> before the <a href="/facts/Early_Muslim_conquests/HyPkljcc">Muslim conquests</a> of the 7th century AD.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31">31</a> 
At their zenith, the Sasanians controlled all of modern-day Iran and <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a> and parts of the <a href="/facts/Pre-Islamic_Arabia/v6TGYKyB">Arabian Peninsula</a>, as well as the <a href="/facts/Caucasus/sE8P8Ejg">Caucasus</a>, the <a href="/facts/Levant/uuJLt3Af">Levant</a>, and parts of <a href="/facts/Central_Asia/rB8k0CyT">Central Asia</a> and <a href="/facts/South_Asia/7gTqe3hY">South Asia</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32">32</a> The strong economic conditions left by Parthians allowed the Sasanians to build a powerful and distinctive economic state whose reputation spread well beyond its political frontiers and time.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33">33</a> The Sasanian Empire was characterized by a complex and centralized government bureaucracy and the revitalization of <a href="/facts/Zoroastrianism/rM0QUMtg">Zoroastrianism</a> as a legitimizing and unifying ideal.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34">34</a>

<h3>Medieval period</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Iranian_Intermezzo/qJQSY4l3">Iranian Intermezzo</a>, <a href="/facts/Tahirid_dynasty/K5dAYlYB">Tahirid dynasty</a>, <a href="/facts/Saffarid_dynasty/8K7lbWqB">Saffarid dynasty</a>, <a href="/facts/Ziyarid_dynasty/njT5lwS4">Ziyarid dynasty</a>, <a href="/facts/Samanids/ItCV6Q18">Samanids</a>, <a href="/facts/Sajid_dynasty/5jxM11Kw">Sajid dynasty</a>, <a href="/facts/Sallarid_dynasty/MvPKLcv7">Sallarid dynasty</a>, <a href="/facts/Ilyasids/LXlgVEQ0">Ilyasids</a>, <a href="/facts/Buyid_dynasty/70QR31qF">Buyid dynasty</a>, <a href="/facts/Kakuyids/alRI8WwL">Kakuyids</a>, <a href="/facts/Seljuk_Empire/PIdMSP62">Seljuk Empire</a>, <a href="/facts/Khwarazmian_Empire/DQxoCxbx">Khwarazmian Empire</a>, and <a href="/facts/Ilkhanate/ukltWdQk">Ilkhanate</a>
Most of the Sasanian Empire's lifespan was overshadowed by the frequent <a href="/facts/Byzantine%25E2%2580%2593Sasanian_wars/WaJD1yHv">Byzantine–Sasanian wars</a>, a continuation of the <a href="/facts/Roman%25E2%2580%2593Parthian_Wars/ytdNMfVX">Roman–Parthian Wars</a>. These wars weakened the empire and contributed to the <a href="/facts/Muslim_conquest_of_Persia/o3y3Wxhk">Islamic conquest of Persia</a>. The <a href="/facts/Rashidun_Caliphate/UBtWHvDj">Rashidun Caliphate</a> conquered the Sasanian Empire between 632 and 654. 
Over time, the majority of Iranians converted to <a href="/facts/Islam/zDLbL45C">Islam</a>. Most of the aspects of the previous Persian civilizations were not discarded, but rather absorbed by the new Islamic polity.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35">35</a>

<h4>Early Islamic rule and regional resistance in Iran</h4>
After the fall of the Sasanian Empire in 651, the <a href="/facts/Arabs/E77duPsg">Arabs</a> of the <a href="/facts/Umayyad_Caliphate/gdW8JwoK">Umayyad Caliphate</a> adopted many Persian customs, especially the administrative and the court mannerisms. Arab provincial governors were undoubtedly either Persianized <a href="/facts/Arameans/KyyYmja8">Arameans</a> or ethnic Persians; certainly, Persian remained the language of official business of the caliphate until the adoption of Arabic toward the end of the seventh century.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36">36</a> 
However, Iran was still not entirely under Arab control; the <a href="/facts/Daylam/71atIYua">Daylam</a> region was under the control of the <a href="/facts/Daylamites/oUWqgcGd">Daylamites</a>, <a href="/facts/Tabaristan/fwVwJzpx">Tabaristan</a> was under <a href="/facts/Dabuyid_dynasty/j6ht0nlc">Dabuyid</a> and <a href="/facts/Paduspanids/4KKak9tb">Paduspanid</a> control, and <a href="/facts/Mount_Damavand/k8EWbaQN">Mount Damavand</a> under <a href="/facts/Masmughans_of_Damavand/B600W6IU">Masmughan</a> control. Arabs had invaded these regions several times but achieved no decisive result because of the inaccessible terrain of the regions. The most prominent ruler of the Dabuyids, <a href="/facts/Farrukhan_the_Great/LGLGJ88S">Farrukhan the Great</a> (r. 712–728), managed to hold his domains during his long struggle against the Arab general <a href="/facts/Yazid_ibn_al-Muhallab/qcTT3rB5">Yazid ibn al-Muhallab</a>, who was defeated by a combined Daylamite–Dabuyid army and forced to retreat from Tabaristan.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37">37</a>

<h4>The Abbasid revolution and Iranian Renaissance</h4>

Anti-Umayyad insurrections were supported by non-Arab Islamic converts, who were resentful over being relegated to lower social standing. In 747–750, one of these insurrections grew into the <a href="/facts/Abbasid_revolution/h3EMV4Qn">Abbasid revolution</a>, in which the Umayyads were replaced with the <a href="/facts/Abbasid_dynasty/mPeLAbXt">Abbasids</a>, descendants of Muhammad's uncle, <a href="/facts/Abbas_ibn_Abd_al-Muttalib/8G59cWAh">Abbas</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:38" href="#fn:38">38</a>
The political authority of the Abbasid caliphs diminished over the course of the ninth and tenth centuries.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:39" href="#fn:39">39</a> This led to the establishment of several independent Iranian dynasties,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:40" href="#fn:40">40</a> ousting of Arab rulers from their scattered bastions across the country, and an Iranian cultural renaissance.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:41" href="#fn:41">41</a> The period between the collapse of Abbasid authority and the conquest of Iran by the <a href="/facts/Seljuk_Empire/PIdMSP62">Seljuk Turks</a> in the eleventh century is referred to as the "<a href="/facts/Iranian_Intermezzo/qJQSY4l3">Iranian Intermezzo</a>."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:42" href="#fn:42">42</a>
The Iranian Intermezzo saw the rise and fall of several major and minor dynasties.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:43" href="#fn:43">43</a> Among the most important of these overlapping dynasties were the <a href="/facts/Tahirid_dynasty/K5dAYlYB">Tahirids</a> in <a href="/facts/Greater_Khorasan/YjgsyBbe">Khorasan</a> (821–873); the <a href="/facts/Saffarid_dynasty/8K7lbWqB">Saffarids</a> in <a href="/facts/Sistan/reeaj5nC">Sistan</a> (861–1003); and the <a href="/facts/Samanid_Empire/ItCV6Q18">Samanids</a> (819–1005), originally at <a href="/facts/Bukhara/lqEU9LpU">Bukhara</a>. The Samanids eventually ruled an area from central Iran to Pakistan.
By early 10th century, the Abbasids almost lost control to the growing Iranian faction known as the <a href="/facts/Buyid_dynasty/70QR31qF">Buyid dynasty</a> (934–1062). Since much of the Abbasid administration had been Persian, the Buyids were quietly able to assume real power in Baghdad. The Buyids were defeated in the mid-11th century by the <a href="/facts/Seljuk_Empire/PIdMSP62">Seljuq Turks</a>, who continued to exert influence over the Abbasids.

<h4>Islamization and Persianization</h4>
The <a href="/facts/Islamization/0YA0kCSG">Islamization</a> of Iran was a long process. As Persian Muslims consolidated their rule, the Muslim population rose from approximately 40% in the mid-9th century to close to 90% by the end of the 11th century. Historian <a href="/facts/Seyyed_Hossein_Nasr/zUGNtq7v">Seyyed Hossein Nasr</a> suggests that the rapid increase in conversion was aided by the Persian nationality of the rulers.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:44" href="#fn:44">44</a> Although Persians adopted the religion of their conquerors, over the centuries they worked to protect and revive their distinctive language and culture, a process known as <a href="/facts/Persianization/wXCvqjpY">Persianization</a>. Arabs and Turks participated in this process.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:45" href="#fn:45">45</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:46" href="#fn:46">46</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:47" href="#fn:47">47</a>

<h4>The Seljuks and the Mongol invasions</h4>
See also: <a href="/facts/Mongol_invasion_of_the_Khwarazmian_Empire/CNRmMCMF">Mongol invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire</a> and <a href="/facts/Mongol_conquest_of_Persia_and_Mesopotamia/hBf1vSLU">Mongol conquest of Persia and Mesopotamia</a>

From the empire's inception, the Seljuk rulers minted coins with the title šāhānšāh (lit. 'King of Kings') in its Persian form,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:48" href="#fn:48">48</a> perhaps adopting it from the Buyids.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:49" href="#fn:49">49</a> The Seljuk Empire fractured after the death of Ahmad Sanjar in 1157, and its <a href="/facts/Vassal/LKfLc2Cz">vassals</a> became effectively independent.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:50" href="#fn:50">50</a> One of these vassals was the <a href="/facts/Anushtegin_dynasty/TcMkkVhR">Anushtegin dynasty</a>, which ruled the <a href="/facts/Khwarazm/DIhw5ofr">Khwarazm</a> region. The ruling dynasty were descendants of <a href="/facts/Anushtegin_Gharchai/ATyUldp0">Anushtegin Gharchai</a>, a former Turkic slave of the Seljuq sultans.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:51" href="#fn:51">51</a> In 1194, the Khwarazmian ruler <a href="/facts/Ala_al-Din_Tekish/noBNxABg">Tekish</a> conquered western Iran and Iraq from the remnants of the Seljuk Empire.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:52" href="#fn:52">52</a> The Khwarazmian rulers used the ancient title <a href="/facts/Khwarazmshah/RfjamtNJ">xwârazmšāh</a>, traditionally held by Iranian rulers of Khwarazm.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:53" href="#fn:53">53</a> <a href="/facts/Konye-Urgench/Q45HrWz4">Urganj</a> was the Khwarazmian capital.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:54" href="#fn:54">54</a>
In the early thirteenth century, the Mongols reached Iran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:55" href="#fn:55">55</a> The region around <a href="/facts/Bukhara/lqEU9LpU">Bukhara</a> was <a href="/facts/Siege_of_Bukhara/cShpBqjP">conquered</a> in 1220<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:56" href="#fn:56">56</a> and the Khwarazmian Empire was destroyed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:57" href="#fn:57">57</a> During 1220–21 Bukhara, <a href="/facts/Siege_of_Samarkand_(1220)/zSy6QNKG">Samarkand</a>, <a href="/facts/Herat/v6YgdQkM">Herat</a>, <a href="/facts/Tus%2c_Iran/vKSN0N1J">Tus</a> and <a href="/facts/Nishapur/23aMtNwy">Nishapur</a> were razed, and the whole populations were slaughtered. Over the following decades, further conquests followed, culminating in the <a href="/facts/Siege_of_Baghdad/NVNADUcY">fall of Baghdad</a> and end of the <a href="/facts/Abbasid_Caliphate/mPeLAbXt">Abbasid Caliphate</a>'s rule in 1258.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:58" href="#fn:58">58</a>

<h4>The Ilkhanate and aftermath</h4>

After the death of <a href="/facts/M%25C3%25B6ngke_Khan/6vkqKvwe">Möngke Khan</a>, the <a href="/facts/Mongol_Empire/cfddtfIK">Mongol Empire</a> was fractured by civil war, both over the succession of the next Great Khan and between nomadic traditionalists and the new settled princes of China and the Middle East. <a href="/facts/Kublai_Khan/jkAtyU4h">Kublai Khan</a> (1260–1294) was eventually universally recognized, but the empire was irreversibly fragmented.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:59" href="#fn:59">59</a> In much of the south-west of the empire, including Iran, power fell to <a href="/facts/Hulegu_Khan/AFGAPPnc">Hulegu Khan</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:60" href="#fn:60">60</a> who had been made a deputy there under Möngke Khan.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:61" href="#fn:61">61</a> 
Hulegu was accepted as a legitimate ruler in Iran and was legitimized through a <a href="/facts/Fatwa/ftHBQbql">fatwa</a> issued by the Shia scholar <a href="/facts/Ali_ibn_Tawus_al-Hilli/fBYSpCaE">Ali ibn Tawus al-Hilli</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:62" href="#fn:62">62</a> Iran experienced a cultural renaissance under <a href="/facts/Ilkhanate/ukltWdQk">Ilkhanid</a> rule.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:63" href="#fn:63">63</a> <a href="/facts/Ghazan_Khan/fcahBwSX">Ghazan Khan</a> converted to Islam in the late thirteenth century, turning the state further away from the other Mongol realms.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:64" href="#fn:64">64</a>
After Ghazan's nephew <a href="/facts/Abu_Sa%2527id_Bahadur_Khan/EmgW7w4m">Abu Said</a> died in 1335, the Ilkhanate lapsed into civil war and was divided between several petty dynasties – most prominently the <a href="/facts/Jalayirids/qjkf4cj9">Jalayirids</a>, <a href="/facts/Muzaffarids_(Iran)/FNE3VBJV">Muzaffarids</a>, <a href="/facts/Sarbadars/3jSJPm2p">Sarbadars</a> and <a href="/facts/Kartids/EpL0GNxG">Kartids</a>. The mid-14th-century <a href="/facts/Black_Death/fztxlxgl">Black Death</a> killed about 30% of the country's population.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:65" href="#fn:65">65</a>

<h4>Timur and the rise of new powers</h4>
See also: <a href="/facts/Timurid_conquests_and_invasions/4FoFD3gQ">Timurid conquests and invasions</a>

Iran remained divided until the establishment of the <a href="/facts/Timurid_dynasty/J4SwmtSR">Timurid dynasty</a> in 1370. Like its predecessors, the <a href="/facts/Timurid_Empire/pyjayK7C">Timurid Empire</a> was part of the Persianate world. Its founder, Timur (r. 1370-1405), hailed from a <a href="/facts/Turkification/Bd3K0zeJ">Turkified</a> tribe of <a href="/facts/Mongols/fb4zx1s8">Mongols</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:66" href="#fn:66">66</a> After establishing a power base in <a href="/facts/Transoxiana/6eCqls7K">Transoxiana</a>, Timur invaded Iran in 1381 and eventually conquered most of it. Timur's campaigns were known for their brutality; many people were slaughtered and several cities were destroyed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:67" href="#fn:67">67</a> In 1387, Timur ordered the complete <a href="/facts/Siege_of_Isfahan_(1387)/HAk8Hk1v">massacre of Isfahan</a>, killing 70,000 people.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:68" href="#fn:68">68</a>
His successors, the Timurids, maintained control of most of Iran until 1452, when they lost the bulk of it to the <a href="/facts/Qara_Qoyunlu/7cKYg60g">Qara Qoyunlu</a>, who were conquered in turn by the <a href="/facts/Aq_Qoyunlu/WHpGCujF">Aq Qoyunlu</a> 1468. <a href="/facts/Uzun_Hasan/jlpDqoc8">Uzun Hasan</a> and his successors were the masters of Iran until the rise of the Safavids.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:69" href="#fn:69">69</a>

<h3>Early modern period</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Safavid_Iran/WPHAaz8e">Safavid Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Afsharid_Iran/Nqf4TAeU">Afsharid Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Zand_dynasty/cYg8558f">Zand dynasty</a>, <a href="/facts/Qajar_Iran/qSYcpC8f">Qajar Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Portuguese%25E2%2580%2593Safavid_wars/DGVmmaPR">Portuguese–Safavid wars</a>, and <a href="/facts/Ottoman%25E2%2580%2593Persian_Wars/0F8Jakyk">Ottoman–Persian Wars</a>

The <a href="/facts/Safavid_Iran/WPHAaz8e">Safavid Empire</a>, founded by <a href="/facts/Ismail_I/aEo7TWN3">Ismail I</a> (r. 1505–1524), is often considered the beginning of modern Iranian history.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:70" href="#fn:70">70</a> While Safavid Iran predated the concept of the <a href="/facts/Nation_state/1T5FVEJP">nation-state</a> as such, it established the basis for the modern state of Iran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:71" href="#fn:71">71</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:72" href="#fn:72">72</a> The <a href="/facts/Safavid_dynasty/QmhkbI06">Safavid</a> dynastic period was one of the most important Iranian history, as it reunified Iran as a cohesive entity under native rule and established Shia Islam as the <a href="/facts/State_religion/K7E28FLL">official religion</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:73" href="#fn:73">73</a> 
The Safavids ruled from 1501 to 1722, experiencing a brief restoration from 1729 to 1736. At their height, they controlled all of modern Iran, <a href="/facts/Azerbaijan/Ho5joRTJ">Azerbaijan</a> and <a href="/facts/Armenia/t3GQx9sU">Armenia</a>, most of <a href="/facts/Georgia_(country)/ccBF8bBE">Georgia</a>, the <a href="/facts/North_Caucasus/GpxBJatP">North Caucasus</a>, <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>, <a href="/facts/Kuwait/HJLFQ59s">Kuwait</a> and <a href="/facts/Afghanistan/v63Auu1C">Afghanistan</a>, as well as parts of <a href="/facts/Turkey/KIYAWAs0">Turkey</a>, <a href="/facts/Syria/7pDXGzq8">Syria</a>, <a href="/facts/Pakistan/cbIsvJy1">Pakistan</a>, <a href="/facts/Turkmenistan/YqJ4NvjU">Turkmenistan</a> and <a href="/facts/Uzbekistan/o8wfw2xR">Uzbekistan</a>. Safavid Iran was one of the Islamic "<a href="/facts/Gunpowder_Empires/CfxvRd0h">gunpowder empires</a>," along with its rivaling neighbors, the <a href="/facts/Ottoman_Empire/6QvfTRsg">Ottoman</a> and the <a href="/facts/Mughal_Empire/yRg2kAy5">Mughal</a> empires.
The Safavid state had a complex bureaucratic system of checks and balances, which ensured transparency and prevented fraud. However, this system was intended not to equalize power between branches of government, but to ensure total power of the Shah. Legitimized by his bloodline as a <a href="/facts/Sayyid/g5BAtTrk">sayyid</a>, or descendant of <a href="/facts/Muhammad/5VcA7XrT">Muhammad</a>, the shah monitored the actions of government officials through reports provided by the superintendent of each department. <a href="/facts/Jean_Chardin/55bcgtLT">Jean Chardin</a>, French merchant and eventual ambassador to Iran, wrote that the Safavid Shahs ruled their land with an iron fist and often in a <a href="/facts/Despotism/atI1mtcJ">despotic</a> manner.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:74" href="#fn:74">74</a>

<h4>Collapse of the Safavid Empire and successor dynasties</h4>

Complex rivalries in the region of <a href="/facts/Greater_Khorasan/YjgsyBbe">Khorasan</a> led to the Afghan <a href="/facts/Hotak_dynasty/tnbyzIJ4">Hotak dynasty</a> invading Iran. In 1722, this conflict led to the collapse of the Safavid Empire after the <a href="/facts/Siege_of_Isfahan/2uFhDrcp">siege of Isfahan</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:75" href="#fn:75">75</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:76" href="#fn:76">76</a> The brief interlude between 1722 and the rise of the <a href="/facts/Qajar_dynasty/sz5ulL0k">Qajar dynasty</a> in 1789–1796 was marked by widespread political turmoil in Iran and several rival attempts to establish power over the country. The Safavids failed to regain power and the Hotaks failed to establish control. The rival <a href="/facts/Afsharid_Iran/Nqf4TAeU">Afsharid</a> and <a href="/facts/Zand_dynasty/cYg8558f">Zand</a> dynasties were established by <a href="/facts/Nader_Shah/4UAm64wF">Nader Shah</a> (r. 1736–1747) and <a href="/facts/Karim_Khan_Zand/elCAPrhb">Karim Khan</a> (r. 1751–1779), respectively.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:77" href="#fn:77">77</a>

<h4>Nader Shah and the shifting balance of power</h4>
See also: <a href="/facts/Campaigns_of_Nader_Shah/HxhC3IBx">Campaigns of Nader Shah</a>
Nader Shah has been described as "the last great Asiatic military conqueror".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:78" href="#fn:78">78</a> Some historians have described him as the <a href="/facts/Napoleon/8TKBIjPM">Napoleon</a> of Persia, the Sword of Persia,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:79" href="#fn:79">79</a> or the Second <a href="/facts/Alexander_the_Great/8N3gLElj">Alexander</a>. His numerous campaigns created a great empire that, at its maximum extent, briefly encompassed all or part of modern-day Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Oman, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, the <a href="/facts/North_Caucasus/GpxBJatP">North Caucasus</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Persian_Gulf/W78AfnC1">Persian Gulf</a>, but his military spending had a ruinous effect on the Iranian economy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:80" href="#fn:80">80</a>

Nader Shah's death was followed by a <a href="/facts/Division_of_the_Afsharid_Empire/Pb465C5t">period of anarchy in Iran as rival army commanders fought for power</a>. Nader's own family, the Afsharids, were soon reduced to holding on to a small domain in Khorasan. The <a href="/facts/Zand_dynasty/cYg8558f">Zand</a> family seized control of much of Iran in the 1750s.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:81" href="#fn:81">81</a> Established by the tribal leader Karim Khan Zand, the Zand rulers never proclaimed themselves to be shahs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:82" href="#fn:82">82</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:83" href="#fn:83">83</a> Instead, they presented themselves as regents of Iran, at first on behalf of the Safavid puppet <a href="/facts/Ismail_III/bRsjVWeU">Ismail III</a> (r. 1750–1773) and then on behalf of the Iranian people.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:84" href="#fn:84">84</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:85" href="#fn:85">85</a>

<h4>Rise of the Qajar dynasty and foreign interference</h4>
The Qajar dynasty originated as a local <a href="/facts/Turkoman_(ethnonym)/ertEYum2">Turkoman</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:86" href="#fn:86">86</a> noble family in northern Iran, under the Safavids.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:87" href="#fn:87">87</a> The Qajars gradually increased in power as other families fought each other in Iran, culminating in <a href="/facts/Agha_Mohammad_Shah/2wI7yw3k">Agha Mohammad Shah</a> proclaiming himself ruler in 1789, in opposition to the Afsharids and Zands.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:88" href="#fn:88">88</a> Agha Mohammad defeated the Zand dynasty in 1794<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:89" href="#fn:89">89</a> and was officially crowned in 1796.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:90" href="#fn:90">90</a> Shortly thereafter, he captured and deposed the Afsharid Shahrokh Shah, reunifying Iran under a single ruler.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:91" href="#fn:91">91</a>
In the 19th century, Iran lost significant territories in the <a href="/facts/Caucasus/sE8P8Ejg">Caucasus</a> to the <a href="/facts/Russian_Empire/hg1g5SpV">Russian Empire</a> following the <a href="/facts/Russo-Persian_Wars/EmRpTVN7">Russo-Persian Wars</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:92" href="#fn:92">92</a> At the same time, <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom/kuPAILt2">Britain</a> became increasingly involved in <a href="/facts/Southern_Iran/HX8EGy02">southern Iran</a>, wishing to provide a counterweight to Russia's presence in the north, which posed a threat to <a href="/facts/British_India/qdbjMfvI">British India</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:93" href="#fn:93">93</a> This was solidified by the establishment of the Indo-European Telegraph Department in the 1860s; and the <a href="/facts/Imperial_Bank_of_Persia/TWzH3NbN">Imperial Bank of Persia</a> by an English company in 1889.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:94" href="#fn:94">94</a> By the end of the 19th century, this dominance had become so pronounced that Iran's central government in Tehran required Anglo-Russian approval for ministerial appointments.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:95" href="#fn:95">95</a> The <a href="/facts/Persian_famine_of_1870%25E2%2580%25931872/juGyBlCF">Great Persian Famine of 1870–1871</a> is believed to have caused the death of two million people.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:96" href="#fn:96">96</a>

<h3>20th century up to the Iranian Revolution</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Pahlavi_Iran/WqU7j2W8">Pahlavi Iran</a>
<h4>Constitutional Revolution and the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty</h4>

The <a href="/facts/Persian_Constitutional_Revolution/Ug7e6SV0">Persian Constitutional Revolution</a> between 1905 and 1911 led to the establishment of an Iranian parliament.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:97" href="#fn:97">97</a> After the <a href="/facts/1921_Persian_coup_d%2527%25C3%25A9tat/qkBjvLqb">1921 coup d'état</a>, the Qajar dynasty was replaced with the <a href="/facts/Pahlavi_dynasty/FDYMgMos">Pahlavi dynasty</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:98" href="#fn:98">98</a>
<a href="/facts/Reza_Shah/3c5dNTrb">Reza Shah</a> ruled for almost 16 years until 1941, when he was forced to <a href="/facts/Abdication/ptcIGUdn">abdicate</a> by the <a href="/facts/Anglo-Soviet_invasion_of_Iran/Nd77bH5C">Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran</a>. He established an <a href="/facts/Authoritarianism/88Kfm2gU">authoritarian government</a> that valued <a href="/facts/Iranian_nationalism/WRvFhXpH">nationalism</a>, <a href="/facts/Militarism/3HncSuk9">militarism</a>, <a href="/facts/Secularism_in_Iran/5X9r5pJo">secularism</a> and <a href="/facts/Anti-communism/bJuolzxo">anti-communism</a> combined with strict <a href="/facts/Censorship/gwTgKVuv">censorship</a> and <a href="/facts/State_propaganda/nGeaIHVJ">state propaganda</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:99" href="#fn:99">99</a> Reza Shah introduced many socio-economic reforms, reorganizing the army, government administration, and finances.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:100" href="#fn:100">100</a>
To his supporters, his reign brought "law and order, discipline, central authority, and modern amenities – schools, trains, buses, radios, cinemas, and telephones".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:101" href="#fn:101">101</a> However, his attempts of modernization have been criticized for being "too fast"<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:102" href="#fn:102">102</a> and "superficial",<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:103" href="#fn:103">103</a> and his reign was designated as a time of "oppression, corruption, taxation, lack of authenticity" with "security typical of <a href="/facts/Police_state/75Lmsg0n">police states</a>."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:104" href="#fn:104">104</a>

<h4>World War II and post-occupation instability</h4>
While <a href="/facts/Operation_Barbarossa/YKjYBQWn">German armies were highly successful</a> against the <a href="/facts/Soviet_Union_in_World_War_II/xVmb9rIx">Soviet Union</a>, the Iranian government expected Germany to win the war and establish a powerful force on its borders. It rejected British and Soviet demands to expel German residents from Iran. In response, the two <a href="/facts/Allies_of_World_War_II/YzCdtjDY">Allies</a> <a href="/facts/Anglo-Soviet_invasion_of_Iran/Nd77bH5C">invaded in August 1941</a> and easily overwhelmed the weak Iranian army in <a href="/facts/Operation_Countenance/Nd77bH5C">Operation Countenance</a>. Iran became the major conduit of Allied <a href="/facts/Lend-Lease/q15Vw9VI">Lend-Lease</a> aid to the Soviet Union. The purpose was to secure Iranian <a href="/facts/Oil_field/wYoSQmGN">oil fields</a> and ensure Allied <a href="/facts/Supply_line/3w9aaxV3">supply lines</a>, through the <a href="/facts/Persian_Corridor/NlYKxVwT">Persian Corridor</a>. Iran remained officially neutral. Rezā Shāh was deposed during the subsequent occupation and replaced with his young son <a href="/facts/Mohammad_Reza_Pahlavi/r2bcadLc">Mohammad Reza Pahlavi</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:105" href="#fn:105">105</a> At the 1943 <a href="/facts/Tehran_Conference/deY7MKrr">Tehran Conference</a>, the <a href="/facts/Allies_of_World_War_II/YzCdtjDY">Allied</a> "Big Three"—<a href="/facts/Joseph_Stalin/SHtxGyQn">Joseph Stalin</a>, <a href="/facts/Franklin_D._Roosevelt/HtG9vMQv">Franklin D. Roosevelt</a>, and <a href="/facts/Winston_Churchill/Wm8LXNzH">Winston Churchill</a>—issued the <a href="/facts/Tehran_Conference/deY7MKrr">Tehran Declaration</a> to guarantee the post-war independence and boundaries of Iran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:106" href="#fn:106">106</a>
Initially, there were hopes that post-occupation Iran could become a <a href="/facts/Constitutional_monarchy/C0TtVRq8">constitutional monarchy</a>. The new, young Shah took a very hands-off role in government, and allowed parliament to hold a lot of power. Some elections were held in the first shaky years, although they remained mired in corruption. Parliament became chronically unstable. From 1947 to 1951, Iran saw the rise and fall of six prime ministers.

<h4>Mosaddeq and the Shah's rule</h4>
See also: <a href="/facts/1953_Iranian_coup_d%2527%25C3%25A9tat/6poAfCcE">1953 Iranian coup d'état</a>

In 1951, Prime Minister <a href="/facts/Mohammed_Mosaddeq/IAm34V5s">Mohammed Mosaddeq</a> received the vote required from the parliament to <a href="/facts/Nationalize/cQcRubNU">nationalize</a> the British-owned oil industry, in a situation known as the <a href="/facts/Abadan_Crisis/zwym4N70">Abadan Crisis</a>. Despite British pressure, including an economic blockade, nationalization continued. Mosaddeq was removed from power in 1952, but quickly re-appointed by the Shah, due to a popular uprising in support of the premier. He forced the Shah into a brief exile in August 1953 after a failed military coup by <a href="/facts/Imperial_Guard_(Iran)/vauIa77a">Imperial Guard</a> Colonel <a href="/facts/Nematollah_Nassiri/XEgTMm38">Nematollah Nassiri</a>. 
On 19 August, a successful <a href="/facts/Coup_d%2527%25C3%25A9tat/eUK9HBw7">coup</a> was headed by retired army general <a href="/facts/Fazlollah_Zahedi/04JjRMcw">Fazlollah Zahedi</a>, aided by the US (<a href="/facts/CIA/4dKdNElW">CIA</a>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:107" href="#fn:107">107</a> with the active support of the British (<a href="/facts/MI6/oPppIz3x">MI6</a>), known as <a href="/facts/1953_Iranian_coup_d%2527%25C3%25A9tat/6poAfCcE">Operation Ajax and Operation Boot</a> to the respective agencies.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:108" href="#fn:108">108</a> The coup—with a <a href="/facts/Black_propaganda/BfFh0SQm">black propaganda</a> campaign designed to turn the population against Mosaddeq<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:109" href="#fn:109">109</a> — forced Mosaddeq from office. Mosaddeq was arrested and tried for treason. Found guilty, his sentence was reduced to house arrest on his family estate while his foreign minister, <a href="/facts/Hossein_Fatemi/DYWzlDBS">Hossein Fatemi</a>, was executed. <a href="/facts/Fazlollah_Zahedi/04JjRMcw">Zahedi</a> succeeded him as prime minister, and suppressed opposition to the Shah, specifically the <a href="/facts/National_Front_(Iran)/ooRp8HA9">National Front</a> and Communist <a href="/facts/Tudeh_Party/BsyyPtAG">Tudeh Party</a>.
Iran was ruled as an autocracy under the Shah with American support from that time until the revolution. Iran initiated economic, social, agrarian and administrative reforms to modernize the country that became known as the Shah's <a href="/facts/White_Revolution/df5hNcCg">White Revolution</a>.

<h3>The Islamic Revolution, Khamenei, and after</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Iranian_Revolution/frTYhJ0F">Iranian Revolution</a> and <a href="/facts/History_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/D6FGSPQp">History of the Islamic Republic of Iran</a>

The <a href="/facts/Iranian_Revolution/frTYhJ0F">Iranian Revolution</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:110" href="#fn:110">110</a> transformed Iran from an <a href="/facts/Absolute_monarchy/bw15yYtX">absolute monarchy</a> to an <a href="/facts/Islamic_republic/hE0SWdyj">Islamic republic</a> founded by <a href="/facts/Ayatollah/k5cwuBIg">Ayatollah</a> <a href="/facts/Ruhollah_Khomeini/y1kgDUoG">Ruhollah Khomeini</a>, a leader of the revolution.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:111" href="#fn:111">111</a> It included the approval of a new <a href="/facts/Theocratic/RHWYhm6s">theocratic</a> constitution, whereby Khomeini became <a href="/facts/Supreme_Leader_of_Iran/LXCaIbpY">Supreme Leader</a>, in December 1979. Iran's modernizing, capitalist economy was replaced by populist Islamic economic and cultural policies. Industries were <a href="/facts/Nationalized/cQcRubNU">nationalized</a>, laws and schools Islamized, and <a href="/facts/Western_world/UQl4e7du">Western influence</a> restricted.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:112" href="#fn:112">112</a> 

<h4>Khomeini, Iran-Iraq War, and leadership transition</h4>
See also: <a href="/facts/United_States_support_for_Iraq_during_the_Iran%25E2%2580%2593Iraq_War/hFCFc5XA">United States support for Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War</a>

An event with long-term impact was the <a href="/facts/Iran_hostage_crisis/HTMyLwrb">Iran hostage crisis</a>. After the former Shah of Iran went to the US for cancer treatment, on 4 November 1979, Iranian students seized US embassy personnel, labeling the embassy a "den of spies."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:113" href="#fn:113">113</a> 52 hostages were held for 444 days until January 1981.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:114" href="#fn:114">114</a>
Iraqi leader <a href="/facts/Saddam_Hussein/nHnSodgy">Saddam Hussein</a> attempted to take advantage of the disorder of the revolution, the weakness of the Iranian military and the revolution's antagonism with Western governments. On 22 September 1980, the Iraqi army <a href="/facts/Iraqi_invasion_of_Iran/MB5YVo50">invaded Iran</a> at Khuzestan, precipitating the <a href="/facts/Iran%25E2%2580%2593Iraq_War/DqD7W8vd">Iran–Iraq War</a>. The attack took revolutionary Iran by surprise. Although Hussein's forces made early advances, Iranian forces pushed the Iraqi army back into Iraq by 1982. Khomeini sought to <a href="/facts/Export_of_revolution/GkCTqQ69">export the revolution</a> westward into Iraq, especially on the majority Shi'a Arabs living in Iraq. The war continued until 1988, when Khomeini, in his words, "drank the cup of poison" and accepted a truce mediated by the UN. 
The war, which ended in a stalemate in 1988, killed approximately 500,000 people.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:115" href="#fn:115">115</a> During the war, Saddam extensively used <a href="/facts/Iraqi_chemical_weapons_program/tMwyzGfq">chemical weapons</a> against Iranians.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:116" href="#fn:116">116</a>

<h4>Khamenei era</h4>
Further information: <a href="/facts/Joint_Comprehensive_Plan_of_Action/ee9rq1qH">Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action</a>, <a href="/facts/Assassination_of_Qasem_Soleimani/PQrlWewl">Assassination of Qasem Soleimani</a>, <a href="/facts/2024_Iran%25E2%2580%2593Israel_conflict/lcQD6xTa">2024 Iran–Israel conflict</a>, and <a href="/facts/Iran%25E2%2580%2593Israel_war/cqFcawYL">Iran–Israel war</a>On his deathbed in 1989, <a href="/facts/Khomeini/y1kgDUoG">Khomeini</a> appointed a 25-man Constitutional Reform Council which named then president <a href="/facts/Ali_Khamenei/NcL1YHPS">Ali Khamenei</a> as the next Supreme Leader, and made changes to Iran's constitution.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:117" href="#fn:117">117</a> A smooth transition followed Khomeini's death on 3 June 1989. While Khamenei lacked Khomeini's "charisma and clerical standing", he developed a network of supporters within Iran's armed forces and its economically powerful <a href="/facts/Bonyad/rPCMmkMS">religious foundations</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:118" href="#fn:118">118</a>
<h5>Reform era (1989–2005)</h5>

In 1989, President <a href="/facts/Akbar_Rafsanjani/1VSLLsd8">Akbar Rafsanjani</a> concentrated on a pro-business policy of rebuilding the economy, without breaking with the ideology of the revolution. He supported a <a href="/facts/Free_market/KnK7JohY">free market</a>, favoring <a href="/facts/Privatization/TAtreKqK">privatization</a> of state industries and a moderate position internationally. In 1997, Rafsanjani was succeeded by moderate <a href="/facts/Iranian_reform_movement/mXzERVpL">reformist</a> <a href="/facts/Mohammad_Khatami/DVzhTQXB">Mohammad Khatami</a>, whose government advocated <a href="/facts/Freedom_of_speech/jYakwGMP">freedom of expression</a>, constructive diplomatic relations with Asia and the <a href="/facts/European_Union/6GYcR8qM">European Union</a>, and policy that supported a free market and foreign investment.

<h5>Iranian nuclear program, principalist dominance (2005–2024)</h5>
The <a href="/facts/2005_Iranian_presidential_election/KxD8rVQt">2005 presidential election</a> brought conservative <a href="/facts/Populist/J0EXt6XK">populist</a> and nationalist candidate <a href="/facts/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejad/fxJWaqE6">Mahmoud Ahmadinejad</a> to power. He was known for his hardline views, nuclearization, and <a href="/facts/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejad_and_Israel/CFeJLAlS">hostility towards Israel</a>, <a href="/facts/Saudi_Arabia/uyUpe1J2">Saudi Arabia</a>, the UK, US and other states. He was the first president to be summoned by the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Consultative_Assembly/VP5D5mdJ">parliament</a> to answer questions regarding his presidency.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:119" href="#fn:119">119</a> In 2013, centrist and reformist <a href="/facts/Hassan_Rouhani/UBpGIJIL">Hassan Rouhani</a> was elected president. He encouraged personal freedom, free access to information, and improved women's rights. He improved Iran's diplomatic relations through exchanging conciliatory letters.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:120" href="#fn:120">120</a> The <a href="/facts/Joint_Comprehensive_Plan_of_Action/ee9rq1qH">Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action</a> (JCPOA) was reached in <a href="/facts/Vienna/NSpIURsA">Vienna</a> in 2015, between Iran, the <a href="/facts/P5%252B1/Nxxs22kp">P5+1</a> (<a href="/facts/Permanent_members_of_the_United_Nations_Security_Council/4Vkl8rI0">UN Security Council</a> + Germany) and the EU. The negotiations centered around ending the <a href="/facts/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1929/UhjrmF95">economic sanctions</a> in exchange for Iran's restriction in producing <a href="/facts/Enriched_uranium/vSb2Tcsb">enriched uranium</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:121" href="#fn:121">121</a> In 2018, the US under <a href="/facts/First_presidency_of_Donald_Trump/7Dlz31my">Trump</a> withdrew from the deal and new sanctions were imposed. This nulled the economic provisions and brought Iran to <a href="/facts/Nuclear_latency/vuttIYc2">nuclear threshold status</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:122" href="#fn:122">122</a> In 2020, <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps/6EMxlKlm">IRGC</a> general, <a href="/facts/Qasem_Soleimani/Twy5bIes">Qasem Soleimani</a>, the 2nd-most powerful person in Iran,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:123" href="#fn:123">123</a> was <a href="/facts/Assassination_of_Qasem_Soleimani/PQrlWewl">assassinated by the US</a>, heightening <a href="/facts/Iran%25E2%2580%2593United_States_relations/59wJGvqg">tensions between them</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:124" href="#fn:124">124</a> <a href="/facts/Operation_Martyr_Soleimani/7AUkLgX0">Iran retaliated against US airbases in Iraq</a>, the largest ballistic missile attack ever on Americans;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:125" href="#fn:125">125</a> 110 sustained <a href="/facts/Traumatic_brain_injury/DTq110vw">brain injuries</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:126" href="#fn:126">126</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:127" href="#fn:127">127</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:128" href="#fn:128">128</a>
Hardliner <a href="/facts/Ebrahim_Raisi/5o66QlDB">Ebrahim Raisi</a> lost a presidential bid in 2017, but he ran again in <a href="/facts/2021_Iranian_presidential_election/UrepqNfu">2021</a>, succeeding <a href="/facts/Hassan_Rouhani/UBpGIJIL">Hassan Rouhani</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:129" href="#fn:129">129</a> During Raisi's term, Iran <a href="/facts/Nuclear_program_of_Iran/NFCJJy84">intensified uranium enrichment</a>, hindered international inspections, joined SCO and BRICS, <a href="/facts/Iran_and_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine/rIPvyI6H">supported Russia</a> in its <a href="/facts/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine/kE7cHvoQ">Ukraine invasion</a> and restored diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. In April 2024, the <a href="/facts/Israeli_airstrike_on_the_Iranian_consulate_in_Damascus/1tM1ETUo">Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus</a>, killed an IRGC commander.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:130" href="#fn:130">130</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:131" href="#fn:131">131</a> Iran <a href="/facts/April_2024_Iranian_strikes_on_Israel/tAnjl8Ye">retaliated</a> with <a href="/facts/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle/qt87T19t">UAVs</a>, <a href="/facts/Cruise_missile/Frego9PF">cruise</a> and <a href="/facts/Ballistic_missile/Pl6juY73">ballistic missiles</a>; 9 hit Israel.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:132" href="#fn:132">132</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:133" href="#fn:133">133</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:134" href="#fn:134">134</a> It was the largest drone strike in history,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:135" href="#fn:135">135</a> biggest missile attack in Iranian history,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:136" href="#fn:136">136</a> its first ever direct attack on Israel<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:137" href="#fn:137">137</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:138" href="#fn:138">138</a> and the first time <a href="/facts/1991_Iraqi_missile_attacks_against_Israel/rI1RAg2E">since 1991</a>, Israel was directly attacked by a state force.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:139" href="#fn:139">139</a> This occurred during heightened tensions amid the <a href="/facts/Israeli_invasion_of_the_Gaza_Strip/BRh59Vmb">Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip</a>. Israel conducted <a href="/facts/April_2024_Israeli_strikes_on_Iran/NJXNseEb">another strike</a> the same month. In May 2024, President Raisi was killed in a <a href="/facts/2024_Varzaqan_helicopter_crash/T08aH3sM">helicopter crash</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:140" href="#fn:140">140</a> and Iran held a <a href="/facts/2024_Iranian_presidential_election/wYho80EM">presidential election</a> in June, when reformist and former <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Health_and_Medical_Education/aWlPsjJQ">Minister of Health</a>, <a href="/facts/Masoud_Pezeshkian/MUE96kXL">Masoud Pezeshkian</a>, was elected.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:141" href="#fn:141">141</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:142" href="#fn:142">142</a>

On 1 October 2024, Iran <a href="/facts/October_2024_Iranian_strikes_on_Israel/xeGmfHNY">launched</a> 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for assassinations <a href="/facts/Assassination_of_Ismail_Haniyeh/WLJ617fD">of Ismail Haniyeh</a>, <a href="/facts/2024_Hezbollah_headquarters_strike/rlyjMJte">Hassan Nasrallah</a> and <a href="/facts/Abbas_Nilforoushan/GpjJQYMV">Abbas Nilforoushan</a>. On 27 October, Israel <a href="/facts/October_2024_Israeli_strikes_on_Iran/2ERCEEPN">struck</a> Iranian military sites.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:143" href="#fn:143">143</a>

<h5>Alleged nuclear breakout attempt, 2025 war (2025–present)</h5>
Iran's economic struggles, and the collapse of its <a href="/facts/Axis_of_Resistance/by4Fc9Ck">key allies and proxies</a> beginning in 2023—Syria's Assad regime, <a href="/facts/Hezbollah/HRhTo2rI">Hezbollah</a> in <a href="/facts/Lebanon/2dReTXyp">Lebanon</a>, and <a href="/facts/Hamas/VjIkApsc">Hamas</a> in <a href="/facts/Gaza_Strip/GodcCxlV">Gaza</a>—during <a href="/facts/Middle_Eastern_crisis_(2023%25E2%2580%2593present)/58SvgMew">Middle eastern hostilities</a>, have left the Iranian government weakened and isolated.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:144" href="#fn:144">144</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:145" href="#fn:145">145</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:146" href="#fn:146">146</a> In early 2025, Iran was rapidly advancing its nuclear program. Analysts warned such activity exceeded any plausible civilian justification.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:147" href="#fn:147">147</a> Beginning in April, Iran and the US <a href="/facts/2025_United_States%25E2%2580%2593Iran_negotiations/8dtwX5jP">entered negotiations</a> for a new nuclear agreement, but progress stalled as Iran declared domestic uranium enrichment a red line. In June, IAEA found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations for the first time in two decades.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:148" href="#fn:148">148</a> In response, Iran announced the activation of a new enrichment facility.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:149" href="#fn:149">149</a> 
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched strikes across Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and killing many top members of Iran's military leadership.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:150" href="#fn:150">150</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:151" href="#fn:151">151</a> Iran retaliated with its own missile strikes, and hostilities have resulted in <a href="/facts/Iran%25E2%2580%2593Israel_war/cqFcawYL">direct conflict</a> between the two countries. Early on 22 June, the <a href="/facts/United_States_strikes_on_Iranian_nuclear_sites/wfRjpDh3">United States joined the war and struck the Iranian nuclear facilities</a> of <a href="/facts/Fordow_Uranium_Enrichment_Plant/PSpoyK0B">Fordow</a>, <a href="/facts/Natanz_Nuclear_Facility/TzCvI2BV">Natanz</a>, and <a href="/facts/Isfahan_Nuclear_Technology%2fResearch_Center/IrSQdtgF">Esfahan</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:152" href="#fn:152">152</a> According to some authors[who?], both Israel and the United States have been supported by Sunni-majority <a href="/facts/Arab_world/F8Jouq98">Arabic states</a> during the war, both implicitly and explicitly,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:153" href="#fn:153">153</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:154" href="#fn:154">154</a> while according to other authors, Sunni Arab states attempted to maintain a <a href="/facts/Neutral_country/Ig022QPh">neutral position</a> in the conflict.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:155" href="#fn:155">155</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:156" href="#fn:156">156</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:157" href="#fn:157">157</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:158" href="#fn:158">158</a> Iran eventually attacked U.S bases in Qatar as a result.
An ABC interview exposed young Iranians expectations following the war. They expressed that, following decades of internal unrest and in the context of recent Israeli military actions targeting the Islamic Republic, the government will not be able to maintain its grip on power indefinitely. However, they are uncertain about how change will happen or who might take charge in leading a transition.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:159" href="#fn:159">159</a>

<h2 id="geography">Geography</h2>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Geography_of_Iran/gTg0TUdT">Geography of Iran</a>
See also: <a href="/facts/Borders_of_Iran/a67lyXc5">Borders of Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Agriculture_in_Iran/bkk5K4cC">Agriculture in Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/List_of_mountains_in_Iran/HtYAsuBp">List of mountains in Iran</a>, and <a href="/facts/List_of_islands_of_Iran/ILGrValM">List of islands of Iran</a>
Iran has an area of 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi). It is the <a href="/facts/List_of_Asian_countries_by_area/xWhy4JPm">sixth-largest country entirely in Asia</a> and the second-largest in West Asia.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:160" href="#fn:160">160</a> It lies between latitudes 24° and 40° N and longitudes 44° and 64° E. It is bordered to the northwest by <a href="/facts/Armenia/t3GQx9sU">Armenia</a>, the Azeri exclave of <a href="/facts/Nakhchivan_Autonomous_Republic/JwaGw17x">Nakhchivan</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:161" href="#fn:161">161</a> and the <a href="/facts/Azerbaijan/Ho5joRTJ">Republic of Azerbaijan</a>; to the north by the <a href="/facts/Caspian_Sea/Ymc08gkR">Caspian Sea</a>; to the northeast by <a href="/facts/Turkmenistan/YqJ4NvjU">Turkmenistan</a>; to the east by <a href="/facts/Afghanistan/v63Auu1C">Afghanistan</a> and Pakistan; to the south by the <a href="/facts/Persian_Gulf/W78AfnC1">Persian Gulf</a> and the <a href="/facts/Gulf_of_Oman/vFwyABLE">Gulf of Oman</a>; and to the west by <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a> and Turkey.
Iran is in a seismically active area.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:162" href="#fn:162">162</a> On average, an earthquake of <a href="/facts/Moment_magnitude_scale/jLCldUuF">magnitude</a> 7.0 or higher occurs once every ten years.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:163" href="#fn:163">163</a> Most earthquakes are shallow-focus and can be very devastating, such as the <a href="/facts/2003_Bam_earthquake/nEftFcIh">2003 Bam earthquake</a>. Iran consists mostly of the <a href="/facts/Iranian_Plateau/qIVWN4aH">Iranian Plateau</a>, with its southwestern region on the <a href="/facts/Arabian_plate/sMnNpuC3">Arabian Plate</a>. It is one of the world's most mountainous countries; its landscape is dominated by rugged mountain ranges that separate <a href="/facts/Drainage_basin/lzsx0XJS">basins</a> or <a href="/facts/Plateau/RtbmsmfB">plateaus</a>. The populous western Iran is the most mountainous, with ranges such as the <a href="/facts/Caucasus_Mountains/XwKHTVKe">Caucasus</a>, <a href="/facts/Zagros_Mountains/2h0Dr5nj">Zagros</a>, and <a href="/facts/Alborz/MMl7QtHG">Alborz</a>. <a href="/facts/Mount_Damavand/k8EWbaQN">Mount Damavand</a> is the highest point, at 5,610 m (18,406 ft), which is the highest volcano in Asia. Iran's mountains have impacted its politics and economics for centuries.
Northern Iran is covered by the lush lowland <a href="/facts/Hyrcanian_forests/W6FelmsK">Caspian Hyrcanian forests</a>, near the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. The east consists mostly of <a href="/facts/Desert/Mknp4bXq">desert</a> basins, such as the <a href="/facts/Dasht-e_Kavir/dPF6z7Bb">Kavir Desert</a>, which is the country's largest desert, and the <a href="/facts/Dasht-e_Loot/qFdS5yIV">Lut Desert</a>, as well as salt lakes. The Lut Desert is the hottest recorded spot on the Earth's surface, with 70.7 °C recorded in 2005.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:164" href="#fn:164">164</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:165" href="#fn:165">165</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:166" href="#fn:166">166</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:167" href="#fn:167">167</a> Large plains are found along the coast of the Caspian and at the north end of the Persian Gulf, where Iran borders the mouth of the <a href="/facts/Shatt_al-Arab/am31aKx0">Arvand river</a>. Smaller, discontinuous plains are found along the remaining coast of the Persian Gulf, the <a href="/facts/Strait_of_Hormuz/GEQfLwb2">Strait of Hormuz</a>, and Gulf of Oman.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:168" href="#fn:168">168</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:169" href="#fn:169">169</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:170" href="#fn:170">170</a>

<h3>Climate</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Climate_of_Iran/gTg0TUdT">Climate of Iran</a>

Iran's climate is diverse, ranging from <a href="/facts/Desert_climate/orfIQqrB">arid</a> and <a href="/facts/Semi-arid_climate/XnSYao1E">semi-arid</a>, to <a href="/facts/Subtropics/gK0KyFUD">subtropical</a> along the Caspian coast and northern forests.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:171" href="#fn:171">171</a> On the north edge of Iran, temperatures rarely fall below freezing and the area remains humid. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 29 °C (84.2 °F).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:172" href="#fn:172">172</a> Annual precipitation is 680 mm (26.8 in) in the eastern plains and more than 1,700 mm (66.9 in) in the west. The UN Resident Coordinator for Iran has said that "<a href="/facts/Water_scarcity/YN3qIwmv">Water scarcity</a> poses the most severe human security challenge in Iran today".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:173" href="#fn:173">173</a>
To the west, settlements in the Zagros basin have lower temperatures and severe winters, with freezing average daily temperatures and heavy snowfall. The east and central basins are arid, with less than 200 mm (7.9 in) of rain and have occasional deserts.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:174" href="#fn:174">174</a> Average summer temperatures may reach 38 °C (100.4 °F). The southern coastal plains of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman have mild winters, and very humid and hot summers. The annual precipitation ranges from 135 to 355 mm (5.3 to 14.0 in).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:175" href="#fn:175">175</a>

<h3>Biodiversity</h3>
See also: <a href="/facts/Wildlife_of_Iran/7ubo66wW">Wildlife of Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/List_of_national_parks_and_protected_areas_of_Iran/RYhQqSw7">List of national parks and protected areas of Iran</a>, and <a href="/facts/Forests_of_Iran/EtmUzwCV">Forests of Iran</a>

Nearly 60% of Iran is mountainous, and less than 10% is forested.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:176" href="#fn:176">176</a> About 120 million hectares of forests and fields are government-owned for national exploitation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:177" href="#fn:177">177</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:178" href="#fn:178">178</a> Iran's forests can be divided into five vegetation regions: the Hyrcanian region which forms the green belt of the north side of Iran; the <a href="/facts/Turan/bb6SqDrM">Turan</a> region, which are mainly scattered in the center of Iran; the <a href="/facts/Zagros_Mountains/2h0Dr5nj">Zagros region</a>, which mainly contains oak forests in the west; the Persian Gulf region, which is scattered in the southern coastal belt; the <a href="/facts/Arasbaran/AwDNAcbm">Arasbarani region</a>, which contains rare and unique species. More than 8,200 <a href="/facts/Plant/X5BMDMvS">plant</a> species are grown. The land covered by natural flora is four times that of Europe's.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:179" href="#fn:179">179</a> There are over 200 protected areas to preserve biodiversity and wildlife, with over 30 being <a href="/facts/National_park/otRgEoQ3">national parks</a>.
Iran's living fauna includes 34 bat species, <a href="/facts/Indian_grey_mongoose/7eqFc7lq">Indian grey mongoose</a>, <a href="/facts/Small_Indian_mongoose/xCQIb3vX">small Indian mongoose</a>, <a href="/facts/Golden_jackal/vcQT2f3q">golden jackal</a>, <a href="/facts/Indian_wolf/21uHWBtq">Indian wolf</a>, <a href="/facts/Fox/0oeJleEN">foxes</a>, <a href="/facts/Striped_hyena/3E7jJbND">striped hyena</a>, <a href="/facts/Leopard/nXn20qBa">leopard</a>, <a href="/facts/Eurasian_lynx/nYcoLMHH">Eurasian lynx</a>, <a href="/facts/Brown_bear/tNpUFtFB">brown bear</a> and <a href="/facts/Asian_black_bear/laDBVDDM">Asian black bear</a>. <a href="/facts/Ungulate/NPtsoQmI">Ungulate</a> species include <a href="/facts/Wild_boar/Sk8TgJkS">wild boar</a>, <a href="/facts/Urial/9tYV4EUa">urial</a>, <a href="/facts/Armenian_mouflon/JvSVxqlM">Armenian mouflon</a>, <a href="/facts/Red_deer/qbPuqt3o">red deer</a>, and <a href="/facts/Goitered_gazelle/WEmKmVMv">goitered gazelle</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:180" href="#fn:180">180</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:181" href="#fn:181">181</a> The critically endangered <a href="/facts/Asiatic_cheetah/A0XNTQGB">Asiatic cheetah</a> survives only in Iran. Iran lost all its <a href="/facts/Asiatic_lion/HABw0VBI">Asiatic lions</a> and the extinct <a href="/facts/Caspian_tiger/guXb68XJ">Caspian tigers</a> by the early 20th century.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:182" href="#fn:182">182</a> Domestic ungulates are represented by <a href="/facts/Sheep/cjkJyI4f">sheep</a>, <a href="/facts/Goat/BrsPJmdX">goat</a>, <a href="/facts/Cattle/44qV9B6S">cattle</a>, <a href="/facts/Horse/Dh1d7b4x">horse</a>, <a href="/facts/Water_buffalo/f2lsvXBv">water buffalo</a>, <a href="/facts/Donkey/xkn4K2IJ">donkey</a> and <a href="/facts/Camel/UGvEayFf">camel</a>. Iran is home to more than 570 bird species like <a href="/facts/Pheasant/TS49HPgs">pheasant</a>, <a href="/facts/Partridge/dJRIKj76">partridge</a>, <a href="/facts/Stork/JwsYJyYd">stork</a>, <a href="/facts/Eagle/I43HPS7R">eagles</a> and <a href="/facts/Falcon/gS5RC4Tv">falcons</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:183" href="#fn:183">183</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:184" href="#fn:184">184</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:185" href="#fn:185">185</a>

<h2 id="government-and-politics">Government and politics</h2>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Government_of_Iran/3a2xqGM0">Government of Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Politics_of_Iran/D9hjBVjK">Politics of Iran</a>, and <a href="/facts/Elections_in_Iran/vWUKe0DU">Elections in Iran</a>
<h3>Supreme Leader</h3>
 
<a href="/facts/Supreme_Leader_of_Iran/LXCaIbpY">Supreme Leader</a> (<a href="/facts/Persian_language/jfUYbHbt">Persian</a>: رهبر معظم, <a href="/facts/Romanization_of_Persian/qlHk4p54">romanized</a>: Rahbar-e Moazam), the Rahbar, the Leader of the Revolution or Supreme Leadership Authority, is the <a href="/facts/Head_of_state/U2QzdE4a">head of state</a> and responsible for supervision of policy. The president has limited power compared to the Rahbar. Key ministers are selected with the Rahbar's agreement, who has the ultimate say on foreign policy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:186" href="#fn:186">186</a> The Rahbar is directly involved in ministerial appointments for Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs, and other top ministries after submission of candidates from the president.
The Rahbar directly controls regional policy, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tasks limited to protocol and ceremonial occasions. Ambassadors to Arab countries, for example, are chosen by the <a href="/facts/Quds_Force/oy4ag49T">Quds Force</a>, which reports to the Rahbar.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:187" href="#fn:187">187</a> The Rahbar can order laws to be amended.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:188" href="#fn:188">188</a> The <a href="/facts/Execution_of_Imam_Khomeini%2527s_Order/4Lh4LHhK">Setad</a>, a <a href="/facts/State-owned_enterprise/yml2hFlI">state-owned enterprise</a> under the Rahbar, was valued at $95bn in 2013, accounts of which are secret even to the <a href="/facts/Iranian_parliament/VP5D5mdJ">parliament</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:189" href="#fn:189">189</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:190" href="#fn:190">190</a>
The Rahbar is the <a href="/facts/Commander-in-chief/pe6ojVyG">commander-in-chief</a> of the <a href="/facts/Armed_Forces_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/U1ybKhQc">Armed Forces</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:191" href="#fn:191">191</a> controls military intelligence and security operations,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:192" href="#fn:192">192</a> and has the sole power to declare war or peace.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:193" href="#fn:193">193</a> The Rahbar also appoints the heads of the judiciary, state radio and television networks, commanders of the police and military, and members of the <a href="/facts/Guardian_Council/UNpIy6nE">Guardian Council</a>.
The <a href="/facts/Assembly_of_Experts/y9AIfXdg">Assembly of Experts</a> is responsible for electing the Rahbar and has the power to dismiss him on the basis of qualifications and popular esteem.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:194" href="#fn:194">194</a> To date, the Assembly of Experts has not challenged any of the Rahbar's decisions nor attempted to dismiss him. The previous head of the judicial system, <a href="/facts/Sadiq_Larijani/8qwS9sUQ">Sadiq Larijani</a>, appointed by the Rahbar, said that it is illegal for the Assembly of Experts to supervise the Rahbar.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:195" href="#fn:195">195</a> Many believe the Assembly of Experts has become a ceremonial body without any real power.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:196" href="#fn:196">196</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:197" href="#fn:197">197</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:198" href="#fn:198">198</a> In February 2025, <a href="/facts/The_New_York_Times/T9marWVX">The New York Times</a> reported that according to <a href="/facts/Karim_Sadjadpour/QHjrxL3o">Karim Sadjadpour</a>, an expert on Iran at the <a href="/facts/Carnegie_Endowment_for_International_Peace/LwJPhLCj">Carnegie Endowment for International Peace</a>, there exists in the Islamic Republic of Iran two parallel systems.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:199" href="#fn:199">199</a> One which is ruled by the military and intelligence forces, who report to the Rahbar, and "who oversee the nuclear programme and regional proxies and are tasked with <a href="/facts/Political_repression_in_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/JTXPMDVd">repression</a>, hostage taking and assassinations".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:200" href="#fn:200">200</a> The other ruled by diplomats and politicians "who are authorized to speak to Western media and officials" and have minimal knowledge of Iran's nuclear programme.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:201" href="#fn:201">201</a>
The political system is based on the <a href="/facts/Constitution_of_Iran/EzYgBsgF">country's constitution</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:202" href="#fn:202">202</a> Iran was ranked 158th in <a href="/facts/Representative_democracy/svAbpym5">electoral democracy</a> for year 2024 according to <a href="/facts/V-Dem_Democracy_Indices/JdjVqMod">V-Dem Democracy Indices</a> and was an <a href="/facts/Electoral_autocracy/Njo8jAJr">electoral autocracy</a> in the <a href="/facts/V-Dem_Democracy_Indices/JdjVqMod">Regimes of the World</a> classification.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:203" href="#fn:203">203</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:204" href="#fn:204">204</a> <a href="/facts/Juan_Jos%25C3%25A9_Linz/J6YGz6XE">Juan José Linz</a> wrote in 2000 that "the Iranian regime combines the ideological bent of <a href="/facts/Totalitarianism/Txc6sJvM">totalitarianism</a> with the limited pluralism of <a href="/facts/Authoritarianism/88Kfm2gU">authoritarianism</a>".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:205" href="#fn:205">205</a>

<h3>President</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/President_of_Iran/A8SwUjJQ">President of Iran</a>

The <a href="/facts/President_of_Iran/A8SwUjJQ">President</a> is <a href="/facts/Head_of_government/eHYPvGWL">head of government</a> and the second-highest-ranking authority after the Supreme Leader. The President is elected by <a href="/facts/Universal_suffrage/QXTRB4Lh">universal suffrage</a> for 4 years. Before <a href="/facts/Elections_in_Iran/vWUKe0DU">elections</a>, nominees to become a presidential candidate must be approved by the <a href="/facts/Guardian_Council/UNpIy6nE">Guardian Council</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:206" href="#fn:206">206</a> The Council's members are chosen by the Leader, with the Leader having the power to dismiss the president.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:207" href="#fn:207">207</a> The President can only be re-elected for one term.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:208" href="#fn:208">208</a> The president is the deputy <a href="/facts/Commander-in-chief/pe6ojVyG">commander-in-chief</a> of the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Army/AxEtPMjL">Army</a>, the head of <a href="/facts/Supreme_National_Security_Council/kQXkMoBm">Supreme National Security Council</a>, and has the power to declare a <a href="/facts/State_of_emergency/YYWgKFPq">state of emergency</a> after passage by the parliament.
The President is responsible for the implementation of the constitution, and for the exercise of executive powers in implementing the decrees and general policies as outlined by the Rahbar, except for matters directly related to the Rahbar, who has the final say.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:209" href="#fn:209">209</a> The President functions as the executive of affairs such as signing treaties and other international agreements, and administering national planning, budget, and state employment affairs, all as approved by the Rahbar.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:210" href="#fn:210">210</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:211" href="#fn:211">211</a>

The President appoints ministers, subject to the approval of the Parliament and the Rahbar, who can dismiss or reinstate any minister.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:212" href="#fn:212">212</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:213" href="#fn:213">213</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:214" href="#fn:214">214</a> The President supervises the <a href="/facts/Council_of_Ministers_of_Iran/9kQFTxzX">Council of Ministers</a>, coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be placed before the legislature.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:215" href="#fn:215">215</a> Eight Vice Presidents serve under the President, as well as a cabinet of 22 ministers, all appointed by the president.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:216" href="#fn:216">216</a>

<h3>Guardian Council</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Guardian_Council/UNpIy6nE">Guardian Council</a>
Presidential and parliamentary candidates must be approved by the 12-member <a href="/facts/Guardian_Council/UNpIy6nE">Guardian Council</a> (all members of which are appointed by the Leader) or the Leader before running to ensure their allegiance.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:217" href="#fn:217">217</a> The Leader rarely does the vetting, but has the power to do so, in which case additional approval of the Guardian Council is not needed. The Leader can revert the decisions of the Guardian Council.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:218" href="#fn:218">218</a>
The constitution gives the council three mandates: veto power over legislation passed by the <a href="/facts/Majlis_of_Iran/VP5D5mdJ">parliament</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:219" href="#fn:219">219</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:220" href="#fn:220">220</a> supervision of elections<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:221" href="#fn:221">221</a> and approving or disqualifying candidates seeking to run in local, parliamentary, presidential, or Assembly of Experts elections.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:222" href="#fn:222">222</a> The council can nullify a law based on two accounts: being against <a href="/facts/Sharia/H9cG0yCF">sharia</a> (Islamic law), or being against the constitution.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:223" href="#fn:223">223</a>

<h3>Supreme National Security Council</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Supreme_National_Security_Council/kQXkMoBm">Supreme National Security Council</a>
The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) is at the top of the foreign policy decisions process.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:224" href="#fn:224">224</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:225" href="#fn:225">225</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:226" href="#fn:226">226</a> The council was formed during the <a href="/facts/1989_Iranian_constitutional_referendum/Eos3uR0f">1989 Iranian constitutional referendum</a> for the protection and support of national interests, the revolution, territorial integrity and national sovereignty.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:227" href="#fn:227">227</a> It is mandated by Article 176 of the <a href="/facts/Constitution_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/EzYgBsgF">Constitution</a> to be presided over by the <a href="/facts/President_of_Iran/A8SwUjJQ">President</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:228" href="#fn:228">228</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:229" href="#fn:229">229</a>
The leader selects the secretary of the Supreme Council, and the council's decisions are effective after the leader confirms them. The SNSC formulates nuclear policy, and would become effective if the Leader confirms them.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:230" href="#fn:230">230</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:231" href="#fn:231">231</a>

<h3>Legislature</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Islamic_Consultative_Assembly/VP5D5mdJ">Islamic Consultative Assembly</a>
See also: <a href="/facts/Specialized_Commissions_of_the_Parliament_of_Iran/zMmwhISL">Specialized Commissions of the Parliament of Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Supreme_Audit_Court_of_Iran/8UKhT8y4">Supreme Audit Court of Iran</a>, and <a href="/facts/Majlis_Research_Centre/EfS2VY64">Majlis Research Centre</a>
The <a href="/facts/Legislature/ycUCe91S">legislature</a>, known as the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Consultative_Assembly/VP5D5mdJ">Islamic Consultative Assembly</a> (ICA), Iranian Parliament or "Majles", is a <a href="/facts/Unicameralism/Uv6VUhG4">unicameral</a> body comprising 290 members elected for four years.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:232" href="#fn:232">232</a> It drafts legislation, ratifies international <a href="/facts/Treaty/KCfhDfDV">treaties</a>, and approves the national budget. All parliamentary candidates and legislation from the assembly must be approved by the <a href="/facts/Guardian_Council/UNpIy6nE">Guardian Council</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:233" href="#fn:233">233</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:234" href="#fn:234">234</a> The Guardian Council can and has dismissed elected members of the parliament.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:235" href="#fn:235">235</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:236" href="#fn:236">236</a> The parliament has no legal status without the Guardian Council, and the Council holds absolute veto power over legislation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:237" href="#fn:237">237</a>
The <a href="/facts/Expediency_Discernment_Council/V2dfX6wV">Expediency Discernment Council</a> has the authority to mediate disputes between Parliament and the Guardian Council. It serves as an advisory body to the Supreme Leader, making it one of Iran's most powerful governing bodies.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:238" href="#fn:238">238</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:239" href="#fn:239">239</a>
The Parliament has 207 constituencies, including the 5 <a href="/facts/Reserved_seats/zn7tYGCe">reserved seats</a> for religious minorities. The remaining 202 are territorial, covering one or more of Iran's <a href="/facts/Counties_of_Iran/cwcP0TdV">counties</a>.

<h3>Law</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Judicial_system_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/PQpuAwD7">Judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran</a>
Iran uses the <a href="/facts/Sharia/H9cG0yCF">sharia</a> law (based on <a href="/facts/Ja%2527fari_school/XxAbeRt0">Ja'fari school</a>) as its legal system, with elements of <a href="/facts/Civil_law_(legal_system)/R878oQ6V">Civil law</a>. The Supreme Leader appoints the head of the Supreme Court and chief public prosecutor. There are several types of courts, including public courts that deal with civil and criminal cases, and <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Court/vdqnaDBA">revolutionary courts</a>, which deal with certain offenses, such as crimes against <a href="/facts/National_security/DlmpehRa">national security</a>. The decisions of the revolutionary courts are final and cannot be appealed.
The Chief Justice heads the judicial system and is responsible for its administration and supervision. He is the highest judge of the <a href="/facts/Supreme_Court_of_Iran/KVg3juWA">Supreme Court of Iran</a>. The Chief Justice nominates candidates to serve as minister of justice, and the President selects one. The Chief Justice can serve for two five-year terms.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:240" href="#fn:240">240</a>
The <a href="/facts/Special_Clerical_Court/c91Cm6F2">Special Clerical Court</a> handles crimes allegedly committed by <a href="/facts/Cleric/IzdAVmsT">clerics</a>, although it has taken on cases involving <a href="/facts/Laity/e14DRlog">laypeople</a>. The Special Clerical Court functions independently of the regular judicial framework and is accountable only to the Rahbar. The Court's rulings are final and cannot be appealed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:241" href="#fn:241">241</a> The Assembly of Experts, which meets for one week annually, comprises 86 "virtuous and learned" clerics elected by adult suffrage for 8-year terms.

<h3>Administrative divisions</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Regions_of_Iran/onwQxnrd">Regions of Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Provinces_of_Iran/pj9D4UcB">Provinces of Iran</a>, and <a href="/facts/Counties_of_Iran/cwcP0TdV">Counties of Iran</a>
See also: <a href="/facts/List_of_cities_in_Iran_by_province/Xz564R4r">List of cities in Iran by province</a>
Iran is subdivided into thirty-one <a href="/facts/Province/wev3AtEQ">provinces</a> (<a href="/facts/Persian_language/jfUYbHbt">Persian</a>: استان ostân), each governed from a local centre, usually the largest local city, which is called the capital (Persian: مرکز, <a href="/facts/Markaz_(country_subdivision)/jWE4gssc">markaz</a>) of that province. The provincial authority is headed by a <a href="/facts/Governor-general/NIN3wFg7">governor-general</a> (استاندار ostândâr), who is appointed by the <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Interior_(Iran)/nN8YJhkp">Minister of the Interior</a> subject to the approval of <a href="/facts/Cabinet_of_Iran/ALEGbuJq">the cabinet</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:242" href="#fn:242">242</a>

<a href="/facts/Alborz_province/oIx5S1UK">Alborz</a>
<a href="/facts/Ardabil_province/pp1VIRNY">Ardabil</a>
<a href="/facts/Bushehr_province/QwwuPWX4">Bushehr</a>
<a href="/facts/Chaharmahal_and_Bakhtiari_province/6WwraNcw">Chaharmahaland Bakhtiari</a>
<a href="/facts/Isfahan_province/cb64IGj6">Isfahan</a>
<a href="/facts/Fars_province/rV5P1YEg">Fars</a>
<a href="/facts/Gilan_province/C0czQyXI">Gilan</a>
<a href="/facts/Golestan_province/a1aesYtK">Golestan</a>
<a href="/facts/Hamadan_province/YcJ59tYk">Hamadan</a>
<a href="/facts/Hormozgan_province/H6tMJGCo">Hormozgan</a>
<a href="/facts/Ilam_province/ddo0JJmF">Ilam</a>
<a href="/facts/Kerman_province/8zXYKhlc">Kerman</a>
<a href="/facts/Kermanshah_province/jWQCNjjj">Kermanshah</a>
<a href="/facts/Khuzestan_province/zoxmT8wc">Khuzestan</a>
<a href="/facts/Kohgiluyeh_and_Boyer-Ahmad_province/hTvkua99">Kohgiluyeh andBoyer-Ahmad</a>
<a href="/facts/Kurdistan_province/3yUmkKBt">Kurdistan</a>
<a href="/facts/Lorestan_province/9uYC9YPK"> Lorestan</a>
<a href="/facts/Markazi_province/aLoMkTEU">Markazi</a>
<a href="/facts/Mazandaran_province/oC7f1Td3">Mazandaran</a>
<a href="/facts/Qazvin_province/HoDrEDPo">Qazvin</a>
<a href="/facts/Qom_province/hU9ICu3n">Qom</a>
<a href="/facts/Razavi_Khorasan_province/WKm49vLa">RazaviKhorasan</a>
<a href="/facts/Semnan_province/e61Q3LuA">Semnan</a>
<a href="/facts/Sistan_and_Baluchestan_province/mxk3YB6h">Sistan andBaluchestan </a>
<a href="/facts/Tehran_province/PzK5wvEw">Tehran</a>
<a href="/facts/Yazd_province/22jlfTvU">Yazd</a>
<a href="/facts/Zanjan_province/NUj0wJpY">Zanjan</a>
<a href="/facts/North_Khorasan_province/P4tF9szo">NorthKhorasan</a>
<a href="/facts/South_Khorasan_province/5Ms4uKfs">SouthKhorasan</a>
<a href="/facts/West_Azerbaijan_province/xdW7INn7">WestAzerbaijan</a>
<a href="/facts/East_Azerbaijan_province/DMqfMprQ">EastAzerbaijan</a>
<a href="/facts/Caspian_Sea/Ymc08gkR">Caspian Sea</a>
<a href="/facts/Persian_Gulf/W78AfnC1">Persian Gulf</a>
<a href="/facts/Turkmenistan/YqJ4NvjU">Turkmenistan</a>
<a href="/facts/Afghanistan/v63Auu1C">Afghanistan</a>
<a href="/facts/Pakistan/cbIsvJy1">Pakistan</a>
<a href="/facts/Azerbaijan/Ho5joRTJ">Azerbaijan</a>
<a href="/facts/Armenia/t3GQx9sU">Armenia</a>
<a href="/facts/Turkey/KIYAWAs0">Turkey</a>
<a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>
<a href="/facts/Kuwait/HJLFQ59s">Kuwait</a>
<a href="/facts/Saudi_Arabia/uyUpe1J2">Saudi Arabia</a>

A map of Iran's provinces
<h3>Foreign relations</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Foreign_relations_of_Iran/X1wXjUbU">Foreign relations of Iran</a>

Iran maintains diplomatic relations with <a href="/facts/Foreign_relations_of_Iran/X1wXjUbU">165 countries</a>, but not the United States and <a href="/facts/Israel/dEe3IcaY">Israel</a>—a state which Iran derecognised in 1979.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:243" href="#fn:243">243</a>
Iran has an <a href="/facts/Iran%25E2%2580%2593Saudi_Arabia_proxy_conflict/EGsex9gn">adversarial relationship with Saudi Arabia</a> due to different political ideologies. <a href="/facts/Iran%25E2%2580%2593Turkey_relations/evaTsGyo">Iran and Turkey</a> have been involved in modern proxy conflicts such as in <a href="/facts/Syria/7pDXGzq8">Syria</a>, <a href="/facts/Libya/HMPH8PWR">Libya</a>, and the <a href="/facts/South_Caucasus/MQaTkhRJ">South Caucasus</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:244" href="#fn:244">244</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:245" href="#fn:245">245</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:246" href="#fn:246">246</a> However, they have shared common interests, such as the issue of <a href="/facts/Kurdish_nationalism/PHRDJvKJ">Kurdish separatism</a> and the <a href="/facts/Qatar_diplomatic_crisis/b5sp4pUx">Qatar diplomatic crisis</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:247" href="#fn:247">247</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:248" href="#fn:248">248</a> Iran has a close and strong relationship with <a href="/facts/Tajikistan/xLLXqHEJ">Tajikistan</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:249" href="#fn:249">249</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:250" href="#fn:250">250</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:251" href="#fn:251">251</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:252" href="#fn:252">252</a> 
Iran formed the <a href="/facts/Axis_of_Resistance/by4Fc9Ck">Axis of Resistance</a>, a coalition of actors committed to countering the influence of the United States and Israel in the region.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:253" href="#fn:253">253</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:254" href="#fn:254">254</a> It most notably includes the <a href="/facts/Hezbollah/HRhTo2rI">Hezbollah</a> in <a href="/facts/Lebanon/2dReTXyp">Lebanon</a>, <a href="/facts/Islamic_Resistance_in_Iraq/ltRxP68o">Islamic Resistance</a> and <a href="/facts/Popular_Mobilization_Forces/ksB0jS6F">Popular Mobilization Forces</a> in <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Houthi_movement/Cvhyfktz">Houthi movement</a> in <a href="/facts/Yemen/eDyoh4qV">Yemen</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:255" href="#fn:255">255</a> It sometimes<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:256" href="#fn:256">256</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:257" href="#fn:257">257</a> includes <a href="/facts/Hamas/VjIkApsc">Hamas</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:258" href="#fn:258">258</a> and a variety of <a href="/facts/Palestinian_political_violence/JWGCJ3jQ">other Palestinian militant groups</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:259" href="#fn:259">259</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:260" href="#fn:260">260</a> Iran has deep economic relations and alliance with Iraq, Lebanon, and did with Syria, which was described as Iran's "closest ally".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:261" href="#fn:261">261</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:262" href="#fn:262">262</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:263" href="#fn:263">263</a> In December 2024, the <a href="/facts/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime/f9ov5ycf">fall of the Assad regime</a> in Syria, a close ally of Iran, was a severe setback for the political influence of Iran in the region.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:264" href="#fn:264">264</a>

 
<a href="/facts/Russia/jfkCwyxn">Russia</a> is a key trading partner, especially in regard to its excess oil reserves.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:265" href="#fn:265">265</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:266" href="#fn:266">266</a> Both share a close economic and military alliance, and are subject to heavy sanctions by Western nations.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:267" href="#fn:267">267</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:268" href="#fn:268">268</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:269" href="#fn:269">269</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:270" href="#fn:270">270</a> Iran is the only country in Western Asia that has been invited to join the <a href="/facts/Collective_Security_Treaty_Organization/tcGnX2xT">CSTO</a>, the Russia-based international treaty organisation that parallels <a href="/facts/NATO/dCeTddMY">NATO</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:271" href="#fn:271">271</a>
Relations between Iran and <a href="/facts/China/lTjIXY5p">China</a> are strong economically; they have developed a friendly, economic and strategic relationship. In 2021, Iran and China signed a <a href="/facts/Iran%25E2%2580%2593China_25-year_Cooperation_Program/dF4dYjtg">25-year cooperation agreement</a> that will strengthen the relations between the two countries and would include "political, strategic and economic" components.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:272" href="#fn:272">272</a> <a href="/facts/China%25E2%2580%2593Iran_relations/T9SAhxS4">Iran-China relations</a> dates back to at least 200 BC and possibly earlier.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:273" href="#fn:273">273</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:274" href="#fn:274">274</a> Iran is one of the few countries in the world that has a good relationship with both <a href="/facts/North_Korea/Q41laakP">North</a> and <a href="/facts/South_Korea/pCobAaVw">South Korea</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:275" href="#fn:275">275</a>
Iran is a member of dozens of international organisations, including the <a href="/facts/Group_of_15/w2CflD6X">G-15</a>, <a href="/facts/Group_of_24/zvykt8FF">G-24</a>, <a href="/facts/Group_of_77/TFlVEBkN">G-77</a>, <a href="/facts/International_Atomic_Energy_Agency/o84JrwQ7">IAEA</a>, <a href="/facts/International_Bank_for_Reconstruction_and_Development/BGuE5Mtb">IBRD</a>, <a href="/facts/International_Development_Association/uBlDQRKA">IDA</a>, <a href="/facts/Non-Aligned_Movement/PIdnjRvD">NAM</a>, <a href="/facts/Islamic_Development_Bank/avSFtM6L">IDB</a>, <a href="/facts/International_Finance_Corporation/zy1VmlzI">IFC</a>, <a href="/facts/International_Labour_Organization/Lek9y8b6">ILO</a>, <a href="/facts/International_Monetary_Fund/tPSTWWS4">IMF</a>, <a href="/facts/International_Maritime_Organization/7mzxd3B5">IMO</a>, <a href="/facts/Interpol/qdrbruQe">Interpol</a>, <a href="/facts/Organisation_of_Islamic_Cooperation/wWSQSzfF">OIC</a>, <a href="/facts/OPEC/aQ9cxyG6">OPEC</a>, <a href="/facts/World_Health_Organization/YNN3bgug">WHO</a>, and the <a href="/facts/United_Nations/fgXLnmgT">UN</a>, and currently has observer status at the <a href="/facts/World_Trade_Organization/p7hgb1lP">WTO</a>.
On 27 June, in a public statement U.S president Donald trump stated "I wish the leadership of Iran would realize that you often get more with honey than you do with vinegar. Peace". In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Trump’s remarks saying: "If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:276" href="#fn:276">276</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:277" href="#fn:277">277</a>

<h3>Military</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Military_history_of_Iran/E3zNkV6Y">Military history of Iran</a> and <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Armed_Forces/U1ybKhQc">Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces</a>

The military is organised under a unified structure, the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Armed_Forces/U1ybKhQc">Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces</a>, comprising the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Army/AxEtPMjL">Islamic Republic of Iran Army</a>, which includes the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Army_Ground_Forces/yVHunuA3">Ground Forces</a>, <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Air_Defense_Force/NHBqFVgt">Air Defence Force</a>, <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Air_Force/up92PhTe">Air Force</a>, and <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Navy/rwS0DNwG">Navy</a>; the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps/6EMxlKlm">Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps</a>, which consists of the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps_Ground_Forces/uQgQMcmw">Ground Forces</a>, <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps_Aerospace_Force/xqEEBdFl">Aerospace Force</a>, <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps_Navy/rTqhMgNq">Navy</a>, <a href="/facts/Quds_Force/oy4ag49T">Quds Force</a>, and <a href="/facts/Basij/gdbpAnJf">Basij</a>; and the <a href="/facts/Police_Command_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/XLy2ccHQ">Police Command</a> (Faraja), which serves an analogous function to a <a href="/facts/Gendarmerie/IU7lsrLc">gendarme</a>. While the IRIAF protects the country's sovereignty in a traditional capacity, the IRGC is mandated to ensure the integrity of the Republic against foreign interference, coups, and internal riots.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:278" href="#fn:278">278</a> <a href="/facts/Conscription_in_Iran/7EIVL5PH">Since 1925</a>, all male citizens aged 18 must serve around 14 months in the IRIAF or IRGC.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:279" href="#fn:279">279</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:280" href="#fn:280">280</a>
Iran has over 610,000 active troops and around 350,000 reservists, which is at least over 1 million military personnel, one of the world's highest <a href="/facts/List_of_countries_by_number_of_military_and_paramilitary_personnel/bTvFzuQI">percentage of citizens with military training</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:281" href="#fn:281">281</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:282" href="#fn:282">282</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:283" href="#fn:283">283</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:284" href="#fn:284">284</a> The Basij, a <a href="/facts/Paramilitary/mevWLG3M">paramilitary</a> volunteer militia within the IRGC, has over 20 million members, 600,000 available for immediate call-up, 300,000 reservists, and a million that could be mobilised when necessary.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:285" href="#fn:285">285</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:286" href="#fn:286">286</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:287" href="#fn:287">287</a> Faraja, the Iranian uniformed <a href="/facts/Police_force/rrdGISgt">police force</a>, has over 260,000 active personnel. Most statistical organizations do not include the Basij and Faraja in their rating reports.
Iran ranks 7th in the number of active military personnel,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:288" href="#fn:288">288</a> and 9th in size of both its ground force and armoured force. Iran's armed forces are the largest in <a href="/facts/West_Asia/xXM15vIz">West Asia</a> and comprise the greatest <a href="/facts/Army_Aviation/LDYU8sws">Army Aviation</a> fleet in the <a href="/facts/Middle_East/8CD6pLWv">Middle East</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:289" href="#fn:289">289</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:290" href="#fn:290">290</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:291" href="#fn:291">291</a> Iran is among the top 15 countries in terms of military budget.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:292" href="#fn:292">292</a> In 2021, its military spending increased for the first time in four years, to $24.6 billion, 2.3% of the national GDP.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:293" href="#fn:293">293</a> Funding for the IRGC accounted for 34% of Iran's total military spending in 2021.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:294" href="#fn:294">294</a>
Since the Islamic revolution, to overcome foreign embargoes, Iran has developed a domestic military industry capable of producing indigenous <a href="/facts/Tank/CwQLRQsy">tanks</a>, <a href="/facts/Armoured_personnel_carrier/I5yvRywl">armoured personnel carriers</a>, <a href="/facts/Missile/C5VwQClz">missiles</a>, <a href="/facts/Submarine/6fhcAKHV">submarines</a>, <a href="/facts/Iranian_frigate_Jamaran/3k07xHCU">missile destroyer</a>, <a href="/facts/Radar/jk9BTbFA">radar</a> systems, <a href="/facts/Helicopter/chQF7H55">helicopters</a>, <a href="/facts/Navy/TwPq0TNP">naval vessels</a>, and <a href="/facts/Fighter_aircraft/NuIvaGJg">fighter planes</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:295" href="#fn:295">295</a> Official announcements have highlighted the development of advanced weaponry, particularly in rocketry.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:296" href="#fn:296">296</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:297" href="#fn:297">297</a> Consequently, Iran has the largest and most diverse <a href="/facts/Ballistic_missile/Pl6juY73">ballistic missile</a> arsenal in the Middle East and is only the 5th country in the world with <a href="/facts/Hypersonic_missile/Frego9PF">hypersonic missile technology</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:298" href="#fn:298">298</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:299" href="#fn:299">299</a> Iran designs and produces a variety of <a href="/facts/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle/qt87T19t">unmanned aerial vehicles</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:300" href="#fn:300">300</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:301" href="#fn:301">301</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:302" href="#fn:302">302</a> It is one of the world's five countries with <a href="/facts/Cyberwarfare/UYp25v4v">cyberwarfare</a> capabilities and is identified as "one of the most active players in the international cyber arena".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:303" href="#fn:303">303</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:304" href="#fn:304">304</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:305" href="#fn:305">305</a>
Following Russia's purchase of Iranian drones during the <a href="/facts/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine/kE7cHvoQ">invasion of Ukraine</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:306" href="#fn:306">306</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:307" href="#fn:307">307</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:308" href="#fn:308">308</a> in November 2023, the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Air_Force/up92PhTe">Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force</a> (IRIAF) finalized arrangements to acquire Russian <a href="/facts/Sukhoi_Su-35/gJkkCv7R">Sukhoi Su-35</a> fighter jets, <a href="/facts/Mil_Mi-28/hYrJ2D67">Mil Mi-28</a> attack helicopters, air defence and missile systems.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:309" href="#fn:309">309</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:310" href="#fn:310">310</a> The <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Navy/rwS0DNwG">Iranian Navy</a> has had joint exercises with <a href="/facts/Russia/jfkCwyxn">Russia</a> and <a href="/facts/China/lTjIXY5p">China</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:311" href="#fn:311">311</a>

<h3>Nuclear programme</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Nuclear_programme_of_Iran/NFCJJy84">Nuclear programme of Iran</a>
Iran's nuclear programme dates back to the 1950s.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:312" href="#fn:312">312</a> Iran revived it after the Islamic revolution, and its extensive nuclear fuel cycle, including enrichment capabilities, became the <a href="/facts/Views_on_the_nuclear_program_of_Iran/RhweGJl8">subject of intense international negotiations</a> and sanctions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:313" href="#fn:313">313</a> Many countries have expressed concern Iran could divert civilian nuclear technology into a <a href="/facts/Iran_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction/gEnoo1dn">weapons programme</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:314" href="#fn:314">314</a> In 2015, Iran and the <a href="/facts/P5%252B1/Nxxs22kp">P5+1</a> agreed to the <a href="/facts/Joint_Comprehensive_Plan_of_Action/ee9rq1qH">Joint Comprehensive Plan on Action</a> (JCPOA), aiming to end <a href="/facts/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1929/UhjrmF95">economic sanctions</a> in exchange for restriction in producing <a href="/facts/Enriched_uranium/vSb2Tcsb">enriched uranium</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:315" href="#fn:315">315</a>
In 2018, however, the <a href="/facts/United_States_withdrawal_from_the_Joint_Comprehensive_Plan_of_Action/Aj2ABSVf">US withdrew</a> from the deal under the <a href="/facts/First_presidency_of_Donald_Trump/7Dlz31my">Trump administration</a> and reimposed sanctions. This was met with resistance by Iran and other members of the P5+1.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:316" href="#fn:316">316</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:317" href="#fn:317">317</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:318" href="#fn:318">318</a> A year later, Iran began decreasing its compliance.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:319" href="#fn:319">319</a> By 2020, Iran announced it would no longer observe any limit set by the agreement.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:320" href="#fn:320">320</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:321" href="#fn:321">321</a> Progress since then has brought Iran to the <a href="/facts/Nuclear_latency/vuttIYc2">nuclear threshold status</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:322" href="#fn:322">322</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:323" href="#fn:323">323</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:324" href="#fn:324">324</a> As of November 2023, Iran had uranium enriched to up to 60% fissile content, close to weapon grade.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:325" href="#fn:325">325</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:326" href="#fn:326">326</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:327" href="#fn:327">327</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:328" href="#fn:328">328</a> Some analysts already regard Iran as a de facto nuclear power.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:329" href="#fn:329">329</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:330" href="#fn:330">330</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:331" href="#fn:331">331</a>

<h3>Regional influence</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Iranian_influence_in_Lebanon/DgaDvydq">Iranian influence in Lebanon</a>, <a href="/facts/Iranian_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war/12YLXtTI">Iranian intervention in the Syrian civil war</a>, and <a href="/facts/Iranian_intervention_in_Iraq_(2014%25E2%2580%2593present)/5EWHSg9U">Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present)</a>

Iran's significant influence and foothold was sometimes characterized as the "Dawn of A New Persian Empire."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:332" href="#fn:332">332</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:333" href="#fn:333">333</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:334" href="#fn:334">334</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:335" href="#fn:335">335</a> Some analysts associated the Iranian influence to the nation's proud <a href="/facts/Iranian_nationalism/WRvFhXpH">national legacy</a>, <a href="/facts/Achaemenid_Empire/avlzWxF0">empire</a> and <a href="/facts/History_of_Iran/0Q0WRDqo">history</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:336" href="#fn:336">336</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:337" href="#fn:337">337</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:338" href="#fn:338">338</a>
After the <a href="/facts/Iranian_Revolution/frTYhJ0F">Revolution</a>, Iran grew its influence across and beyond the region.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:339" href="#fn:339">339</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:340" href="#fn:340">340</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:341" href="#fn:341">341</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:342" href="#fn:342">342</a> It built military forces with a wide network of state and none-state actors, starting with Hezbollah in Lebanon in 1982.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:343" href="#fn:343">343</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:344" href="#fn:344">344</a> The <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps/6EMxlKlm">IRGC</a> was key to Iranian influence, through its <a href="/facts/Quds_Force/oy4ag49T">Quds Force</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:345" href="#fn:345">345</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:346" href="#fn:346">346</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:347" href="#fn:347">347</a> The instability in Lebanon (from the 1980s),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:348" href="#fn:348">348</a> <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a> (from 2003)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:349" href="#fn:349">349</a> and <a href="/facts/Yemen/eDyoh4qV">Yemen</a> (from 2014)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:350" href="#fn:350">350</a> allowed Iran to build strong alliances and footholds beyond its borders. Iran had a prominent influence in the social services, education, economy and politics of Lebanon,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:351" href="#fn:351">351</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:352" href="#fn:352">352</a> and Lebanon provides Iran access to the <a href="/facts/Mediterranean_Sea/Vr2pzVbM">Mediterranean Sea</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:353" href="#fn:353">353</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:354" href="#fn:354">354</a> Hezbollah's strategic successes against Israel, such as its symbolic victory during the <a href="/facts/2006_Lebanon_War/fBLLu3GN">2006 Israel–Hezbollah War</a>, elevated Iran's influence in the <a href="/facts/Levant/uuJLt3Af">Levant</a> and strengthened its appeal across the <a href="/facts/Muslim_world/n9vVGogr">Muslim World</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:355" href="#fn:355">355</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:356" href="#fn:356">356</a>
After the <a href="/facts/2003_invasion_of_Iraq/V9zysaV1">US invasion of Iraq in 2003</a> and the arrival of <a href="/facts/Islamic_State/1307qum3">ISIS</a> in the mid-2010s, Iran financed and trained militia groups in Iraq.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:357" href="#fn:357">357</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:358" href="#fn:358">358</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:359" href="#fn:359">359</a> After the <a href="/facts/Iran%25E2%2580%2593Iraq_War/DqD7W8vd">Iran-Iraq war</a> in the 1980s and the fall of <a href="/facts/Saddam_Hussein/nHnSodgy">Saddam Hussein</a>, Iran shaped Iraq's politics.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:360" href="#fn:360">360</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:361" href="#fn:361">361</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:362" href="#fn:362">362</a> Following Iraq's struggle against ISIS in 2014, companies linked to the IRGC such as <a href="/facts/Khatam-al_Anbiya_Construction_Headquarters/DpyGBfbJ">Khatam al-Anbiya</a>, started to build roads, power plants, hotels and businesses in Iraq, creating an economic corridor worth around $9 billion before <a href="/facts/COVID-19/YsUgvsaX">COVID-19</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:363" href="#fn:363">363</a>

During <a href="/facts/Yemeni_civil_war_(2014%25E2%2580%2593present)/QBPCQJQX">Yemen's civil war</a> Iran provided military support to the Houthis,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:364" href="#fn:364">364</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:365" href="#fn:365">365</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:366" href="#fn:366">366</a> a <a href="/facts/Zaydism/YjNdclfp">Zaydi</a> Shia movement fighting Yemen's <a href="/facts/Sunni_Islam/WYo0zeq0">Sunni</a> government since 2004,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:367" href="#fn:367">367</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:368" href="#fn:368">368</a> which gained <a href="/facts/Red_Sea_crisis/YgbjEzqF">significant power</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:369" href="#fn:369">369</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:370" href="#fn:370">370</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:371" href="#fn:371">371</a> Iran has considerable influence in <a href="/facts/Afghanistan/v63Auu1C">Afghanistan</a> and <a href="/facts/Pakistan/cbIsvJy1">Pakistan</a> through militant groups such as <a href="/facts/Liwa_Fatemiyoun/pGlBojXW">Liwa Fatemiyoun</a> and <a href="/facts/Liwa_Zainebiyoun/LpJr4wPD">Liwa Zainebiyoun</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:372" href="#fn:372">372</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:373" href="#fn:373">373</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:374" href="#fn:374">374</a>
In <a href="/facts/Syria/7pDXGzq8">Syria</a>, Iran supported President <a href="/facts/Bashar_al-Assad/uFjUSQv6">Bashar al-Assad</a>;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:375" href="#fn:375">375</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:376" href="#fn:376">376</a> the two countries are long-standing allies.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:377" href="#fn:377">377</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:378" href="#fn:378">378</a> Iran provided significant military and economic support to Assad's government,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:379" href="#fn:379">379</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:380" href="#fn:380">380</a> so had a considerable foothold in Syria.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:381" href="#fn:381">381</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:382" href="#fn:382">382</a> Iran has long supported organizations in <a href="/facts/North_Africa/ItxQAfs7">North Africa</a> in countries like <a href="/facts/Algeria/UXDF4Tj6">Algeria</a> and <a href="/facts/Tunisia/4uC8Po6k">Tunisia</a>, embracing <a href="/facts/Hamas/VjIkApsc">Hamas</a> in part to help undermine the popularity of the <a href="/facts/Palestine_Liberation_Organization/9Kk16qMp">Palestinian Liberation Organization</a> (PLO).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:383" href="#fn:383">383</a> Iran's support of Hamas emerged more clearly in later years.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:384" href="#fn:384">384</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:385" href="#fn:385">385</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:386" href="#fn:386">386</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:387" href="#fn:387">387</a> According to US intelligence, Iran does not have full control over these state and non-state groups.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:388" href="#fn:388">388</a>

<h3>Human rights and censorship</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Human_rights_in_Iran/JsKRnL9z">Human rights in Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Capital_punishment_in_Iran/YUXsw9R0">Capital punishment in Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Censorship_in_Iran/4PlDnApM">Censorship in Iran</a>, and <a href="/facts/Political_repression_in_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/JTXPMDVd">Political repression in the Islamic Republic of Iran</a>

The Iranian government has been denounced by various international organisations and governments for violating human rights.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:389" href="#fn:389">389</a> The government has frequently persecuted and arrested critics of the government. Iranian law does not recognise <a href="/facts/LGBT_rights_in_Iran/2Dr0K4hy">sexual orientations</a>. <a href="/facts/LGBT_rights_in_Iran/2Dr0K4hy">Sexual activity between members of the same sex</a> is illegal and is <a href="/facts/Death_penalty_for_homosexuality/lpTqgzlY">punishable by death</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:390" href="#fn:390">390</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:391" href="#fn:391">391</a> <a href="/facts/Capital_punishment/4pbmeUIb">Capital punishment</a> is a legal punishment, and according to the BBC, Iran "carries out more executions than any other country, except China".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:392" href="#fn:392">392</a> UN Special Rapporteur <a href="/facts/Javaid_Rehman/a3Krn5Iw">Javaid Rehman</a> has reported discrimination against several ethnic minorities in Iran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:393" href="#fn:393">393</a> A group of <a href="/facts/United_Nations/fgXLnmgT">UN</a> experts in 2022 urged Iran to stop "systematic persecution" of religious minorities, adding that members of the <a href="/facts/Bah%25C3%25A1%25CA%25BC%25C3%25AD_Faith/orkrDxjS">Baháʼí Faith</a> were arrested, barred from universities, or had their homes demolished.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:394" href="#fn:394">394</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:395" href="#fn:395">395</a>
Censorship in Iran is ranked among the most extreme worldwide.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:396" href="#fn:396">396</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:397" href="#fn:397">397</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:398" href="#fn:398">398</a> Iran has strict <a href="/facts/Internet_censorship_in_Iran/kFmkIwjy">internet censorship</a>, with the government persistently blocking <a href="/facts/Social_media/kUIkfpIA">social media</a> and other sites.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:399" href="#fn:399">399</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:400" href="#fn:400">400</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:401" href="#fn:401">401</a> Since January 2021, Iranian authorities have blocked a list of social media platforms; <a href="/facts/Instagram/33s91jnV">Instagram</a>, <a href="/facts/WhatsApp/VMlSeFb6">WhatsApp</a>, <a href="/facts/Facebook/0IhXFR6u">Facebook</a>, <a href="/facts/Telegram_(software)/TqaAlHwN">Telegram</a>, <a href="/facts/Twitter/VWwDNGUm">Twitter</a> and <a href="/facts/YouTube/db276jst">YouTube</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:402" href="#fn:402">402</a>
The 2006 election results were widely disputed, resulting in <a href="/facts/2009_Iranian_presidential_election_protests/Ep9fnEoG">protests</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:403" href="#fn:403">403</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:404" href="#fn:404">404</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:405" href="#fn:405">405</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:406" href="#fn:406">406</a> The <a href="/facts/2017%25E2%2580%259318_Iranian_protests/kmmhSYhz">2017–18 Iranian protests</a> swept across the country in response to the economic and political situation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:407" href="#fn:407">407</a> It was formally confirmed that thousands of protesters were arrested.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:408" href="#fn:408">408</a> The <a href="/facts/2019%25E2%2580%259320_Iranian_protests/eJjB9YqS">2019–20 Iranian protests</a> started on 15 November in <a href="/facts/Ahvaz/2lmaxTdq">Ahvaz</a>, and spread across the country after the government announced increases in fuel prices of up to 300%.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:409" href="#fn:409">409</a> A <a href="/facts/2019_Internet_blackout_in_Iran/HxH4WaHc">week-long total Internet shutdown</a> marked one of the most severe Internet blackouts in any country, and the bloodiest governmental crackdown of the protestors.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:410" href="#fn:410">410</a> Tens of thousands were arrested and hundreds were killed within a few days according to multiple international observers, including <a href="/facts/Amnesty_International/ouGBgSdS">Amnesty International</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:411" href="#fn:411">411</a>
<a href="/facts/Ukraine_International_Airlines_Flight_752/tsFTfy8n">Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752</a> was a scheduled international civilian passenger flight from <a href="/facts/Tehran/S8dmdwyG">Tehran</a> to <a href="/facts/Kyiv/uVAMxK8R">Kyiv</a>, operated by <a href="/facts/Ukraine_International_Airlines/cjTTq6Xe">Ukraine International Airlines</a>. On 8 January 2020, the Boeing 737–800 flying the route was shot down by the <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps/6EMxlKlm">Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps</a> (IRGC) shortly after takeoff, killing all 176 occupants on board and leading to <a href="/facts/Ukraine_International_Airlines_Flight_752_protests/fxtGazwr">protests</a>. An international investigation led to the government admitting to the shootdown, calling it a "human error".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:412" href="#fn:412">412</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:413" href="#fn:413">413</a> Further <a href="/facts/Mahsa_Amini_protests/XMkNdPjh">protests against the government</a> began on 16 September 2022 after a woman named <a href="/facts/Death_of_Mahsa_Amini/oP68THFB">Mahsa Amini died in police custody</a> following her arrest by the <a href="/facts/Guidance_Patrol/yBcIWL82">Guidance Patrol</a>, known commonly as the "morality police".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:414" href="#fn:414">414</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:415" href="#fn:415">415</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:416" href="#fn:416">416</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:417" href="#fn:417">417</a>

<h2 id="economy">Economy</h2>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Economy_of_Iran/UhW40cUh">Economy of Iran</a>
See also: <a href="/facts/Subsidies_in_Iran/kr1NNaEA">Subsidies in Iran</a> and <a href="/facts/Banking_and_insurance_in_Iran/3tEeVVss">Banking and insurance in Iran</a>
As of 2024, Iran has the world's <a href="/facts/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)/fDw3Ibeo">19th largest economy (by PPP)</a>. It is a <a href="/facts/Mixed_economy/M27dNu2U">mixture</a> of <a href="/facts/Planned_economy/TCMJrC5M">central planning</a>, <a href="/facts/State_ownership/Jr4dPDo3">state ownership</a> of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:418" href="#fn:418">418</a> Services contribute the largest percentage of GDP, followed by industry (<a href="/facts/Mining_in_Iran/RwpPCaYB">mining</a> and manufacturing) and <a href="/facts/Agriculture_in_Iran/bkk5K4cC">agriculture</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:419" href="#fn:419">419</a> The economy is characterised by its hydrocarbon sector, manufacturing and financial services.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:420" href="#fn:420">420</a> With 10% of the world's <a href="/facts/Iran%2527s_oil_reserves/VkJNu8G9">oil reserves</a> and 15% of <a href="/facts/Iran%2527s_Natural_Gas_Reserves/C8H6Srrh">gas reserves</a>, Iran is an <a href="/facts/Energy_superpower/wpmFkHME">energy superpower</a>. Over <a href="/facts/Industry_of_Iran/5kqlCMf4">40 industries</a> are directly involved in the <a href="/facts/Tehran_Stock_Exchange/5YApacDT">Tehran Stock Exchange</a>.
Tehran is the economic powerhouse of Iran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:421" href="#fn:421">421</a> About 30% of Iran's public-sector workforce and 45% of its large industrial firms are located there, and half those firms' employees work for government.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:422" href="#fn:422">422</a> The <a href="/facts/Central_Bank_of_Iran/uSnqbgyG">Central Bank of Iran</a> is responsible for developing and maintaining the <a href="/facts/Currency/g5GPGfTe">currency</a>: the <a href="/facts/Iranian_rial/fglqFqLY">Iranian rial</a>. The government does not recognise <a href="/facts/List_of_trade_unions_in_Iran/8ypoSBvk">trade unions</a> other than the <a href="/facts/Iranian_labor_law/wDqfSCJJ">Islamic labour councils</a>, which are subject to the approval of employers and the security services.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:423" href="#fn:423">423</a> Iran was the first country to introduce a <a href="/facts/Universal_basic_income/yHnay1za">national basic income</a> in Autumn 2010. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:424" href="#fn:424">424</a> Unemployment was 9% in 2022.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:425" href="#fn:425">425</a>

<a href="/facts/Politics_of_Iran/D9hjBVjK">Budget deficits</a> have been a chronic problem, mostly due to <a href="/facts/Subsidies_in_Iran/kr1NNaEA">large state subsidies</a>, that include foodstuffs and especially petrol, totalling $100 billion in 2022 for energy alone.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:426" href="#fn:426">426</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:427" href="#fn:427">427</a> In 2010, the economic reform plan was to cut subsidies gradually and replace them with targeted social assistance. The objective is to move towards <a href="/facts/Free_market/KnK7JohY">free market</a> prices and increase productivity and <a href="/facts/Social_justice/yPVcRR0w">social justice</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:428" href="#fn:428">428</a> The administration continues reform, and indicates it will diversify the oil-reliant economy. Iran has developed a <a href="/facts/Biotechnology_in_Iran/Iqm5WvyB">biotechnology</a>, <a href="/facts/Chemistry_in_Iran/Iqm5WvyB">nanotechnology</a>, and <a href="/facts/Pharmaceuticals_in_Iran/7IGdEXyA">pharmaceutical</a> industry.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:429" href="#fn:429">429</a> The government is <a href="/facts/Privatization_in_Iran/W8VjuXVr">privatising industries</a>.
Iran has leading manufacturing industries in automobile manufacture, transportation, construction materials, home appliances, food and agricultural goods, armaments, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and petrochemicals in the Middle East.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:430" href="#fn:430">430</a> Iran is among the world's top five producers of <a href="/facts/Apricot/xCVFYtMK">apricots</a>, <a href="/facts/Cherry/uVbsknBg">cherries</a>, <a href="/facts/Cucumber/eq1DFox9">cucumbers</a> and <a href="/facts/Gherkin/jKPULB4u">gherkins</a>, <a href="/facts/Date_palm/YweezMHb">dates</a>, <a href="/facts/Common_fig/vjBvExXl">figs</a>, <a href="/facts/Pistachio/sGVdutJS">pistachios</a>, <a href="/facts/Quince/Hq0eoUp0">quinces</a>, <a href="/facts/Walnut/lEkDbm8N">walnuts</a>, <a href="/facts/Kiwifruit/aC0zj3VD">Kiwifruit</a> and <a href="/facts/Watermelon/GWfBYwHn">watermelons</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:431" href="#fn:431">431</a> <a href="/facts/International_sanctions_against_Iran/XV81s5Pc">International sanctions against Iran</a> have damaged the economy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:432" href="#fn:432">432</a> Iran is one of three countries that has not ratified the <a href="/facts/Paris_Agreement/hfIXBN1W">Paris Agreement</a> to limit <a href="/facts/Climate_change_in_the_Middle_East_and_North_Africa/BhT7n4Xw">climate change</a>, although academics say it would be good for the country.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:433" href="#fn:433">433</a>
Iran suffers from high inflation<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:434" href="#fn:434">434</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:435" href="#fn:435">435</a> and especially <a href="/facts/Food_inflation_in_Iran/PAzRuWNB">surging food prices</a>. A major contributing factor is the involvement of the <a href="/facts/Iranian_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps/6EMxlKlm">Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)</a> in the economy,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:436" href="#fn:436">436</a> particularly in the agriculture and <a href="/facts/Food_sector/1JPhss6V">food sectors</a> but also due to significant spending on the <a href="/facts/Axis_of_Resistance/by4Fc9Ck">Axis of Resistance</a> which increase the public deficit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:437" href="#fn:437">437</a> 

<h3>Tourism</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Tourism_in_Iran/tmUWwXnj">Tourism in Iran</a>

Tourism had been rapidly growing before the <a href="/facts/COVID-19_pandemic/0xTsh7Ut">COVID-19 pandemic</a>, reaching nearly 9 million foreign visitors in 2019, the world's third fastest-growing tourism destination.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:438" href="#fn:438">438</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:439" href="#fn:439">439</a> In 2022 it expanded its share to 5% of the economy.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:440" href="#fn:440">440</a> Iran's tourism experienced a growth of 43% in 2023, attracting 6 million foreign tourists.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:441" href="#fn:441">441</a> The government ended visa requirements for 60 countries in 2023.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:442" href="#fn:442">442</a>
98% of visits are for leisure, while 2% are for business, indicating the country's appeal as a tourist destination.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:443" href="#fn:443">443</a> Alongside the capital, the most popular tourist destinations are <a href="/facts/Isfahan/BLw4k2fm">Isfahan</a>, <a href="/facts/Shiraz/Kxo5ExRq">Shiraz</a> and <a href="/facts/Mashhad/2kYE0xWa">Mashhad</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:444" href="#fn:444">444</a> Travellers from other West Asian countries grew 31% in the first seven months of 2023, surpassing <a href="/facts/Bahrain/ndXdWPhr">Bahrain</a>, <a href="/facts/Kuwait/HJLFQ59s">Kuwait</a>, <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>, and <a href="/facts/Saudi_Arabia/uyUpe1J2">Saudi Arabia</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:445" href="#fn:445">445</a> <a href="/facts/Domestic_tourism/AN3ddmbh">Domestic tourism</a> is one of the world's largest; Iranian tourists spent $33bn in 2021.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:446" href="#fn:446">446</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:447" href="#fn:447">447</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:448" href="#fn:448">448</a> Iran projects investment of $32 billion in the tourism sector by 2026.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:449" href="#fn:449">449</a>

<h3>Agriculture and fishery</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Agriculture_in_Iran/bkk5K4cC">Agriculture in Iran</a>

Roughly one-third of Iran's surface area is suited for farmland. Only 12% of the total land area is under cultivation, and less than one-third of the cultivated area is <a href="/facts/Irrigated/RWX5PEgK">irrigated</a>. The rest is devoted to <a href="/facts/Dryland_farming/LTwF0H7W">dryland farming</a>. Some 92% of agricultural products depend on water.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:450" href="#fn:450">450</a> The western and northwestern portions of the country have the most fertile soils. Iran's <a href="/facts/Food_security/cKrQd4E9">food security</a> index stands at around 96 percent.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:451" href="#fn:451">451</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:452" href="#fn:452">452</a> 
3% of Iran's land area is used for <a href="/facts/Grazing/nxF45P2c">grazing</a> and fodder production. Most of the grazing is done on mostly semi-dry rangeland in mountain areas and on areas surrounding the large deserts of Central Iran. Progressive government efforts and incentives during the 1990s improved agricultural productivity, helping Iran toward its goal of reestablishing national self-sufficiency in food production.
Access to the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and many river basins provides Iran the potential to develop excellent fisheries. The government assumed control of commercial fishing in 1952. Expansion of the fishery infrastructure enabled Iran to harvest an estimated 700,000 tons of fish annually from the southern waters. Since the Revolution, increased attention has been focused on producing fish from inland waters. Between 1976 and 2004, the combined take from inland waters by the state and private sectors increased from 1,100 tons to 110,175 tons.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:453" href="#fn:453">453</a> Iran is the world's largest producer and exporter of <a href="/facts/Caviar/lav8tqkr">caviar</a>, exporting more than 300 tonnes annually.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:454" href="#fn:454">454</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:455" href="#fn:455">455</a>

<h3>Industry and services</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Industry_of_Iran/5kqlCMf4">Industry of Iran</a>

In 2024, Iran was ranked 16th in global car manufacturing, ahead of the <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom/kuPAILt2">UK</a>, <a href="/facts/Italy/tUf0PDYF">Italy</a>, and Russia.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:456" href="#fn:456">456</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:457" href="#fn:457">457</a> It built 1.188 million cars in 2023, a 12% growth compared to the previous years. Iran exports cars to countries such as Venezuela, Russia and Belarus. From 2008 to 2009, Iran leaped to 28th place from 69th in annual industrial production growth rate.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:458" href="#fn:458">458</a> Iranian <a href="/facts/General_contractor/J1hJ8P93">contractors</a> have been awarded several foreign tender contracts in different fields of construction of <a href="/facts/List_of_reservoirs_and_dams_in_Iran/nFLULEwM">dams</a>, <a href="/facts/Transport_in_Iran/WyPBG0ua">bridges, roads</a>, <a href="/facts/Construction_in_Iran/aJBuVtha">buildings</a>, <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Railways/db0wbaMT">railroads</a>, <a href="/facts/List_of_power_stations_in_Iran/zmRDz5eI">power generation</a>, and <a href="/facts/National_Iranian_Oil_Company/XMFasPM8">gas, oil</a> and <a href="/facts/National_Iranian_Petrochemical_Company/ItNVblY1">petrochemical</a> industries. In 2011, some 66 Iranian industrial companies were carrying out projects in 27 countries.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:459" href="#fn:459">459</a> Iran exported over $20 billion worth of technical and engineering services over 2001–2011. The availability of local raw materials, <a href="/facts/Mining_in_Iran/RwpPCaYB">rich mineral reserves</a>, experienced manpower have all played crucial role in winning the bids.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:460" href="#fn:460">460</a>
45% of large industrial firms are located in <a href="/facts/Tehran/S8dmdwyG">Tehran</a>, and almost half of their workers work for government.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:461" href="#fn:461">461</a> The Iranian retail industry is largely in the hands of <a href="/facts/Cooperative/kQFtXWzt">cooperatives</a>, many of them government-sponsored, and of independent retailers in the <a href="/facts/Bazaar/4mbQ0Bkd">bazaars</a>. The bulk of food sales occur at street markets, where the Chief Statistics Bureau sets the prices.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:462" href="#fn:462">462</a> Iran's main exports are to <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>, <a href="/facts/Afghanistan/v63Auu1C">Afghanistan</a>, <a href="/facts/Turkmenistan/YqJ4NvjU">Turkmenistan</a>, <a href="/facts/Tajikistan/xLLXqHEJ">Tajikistan</a>, <a href="/facts/Russia/jfkCwyxn">Russia</a>, <a href="/facts/Ukraine/Qof0uqAj">Ukraine</a>, <a href="/facts/Belarus/vweHwgob">Belarus</a>, <a href="/facts/Pakistan/cbIsvJy1">Pakistan</a>, <a href="/facts/Saudi_Arabia/uyUpe1J2">Saudi Arabia</a>, <a href="/facts/Kuwait/HJLFQ59s">Kuwait</a>, <a href="/facts/United_Arab_Emirates/o1bEjgbR">United Arab Emirates</a>, <a href="/facts/Qatar/K4EkNXJE">Qatar</a>, <a href="/facts/Oman/yNr7BPbm">Oman</a>, <a href="/facts/Syria/7pDXGzq8">Syria</a>, <a href="/facts/Germany/paluuWBX">Germany</a>, <a href="/facts/Spain/bIyrB8EY">Spain</a>, the <a href="/facts/Netherlands/y8xn5stT">Netherlands</a>, <a href="/facts/France/CxIeIKM3">France</a>, <a href="/facts/Canada/D5P9yqs6">Canada</a>, <a href="/facts/Venezuela/eX1qnkln">Venezuela</a>, <a href="/facts/Japan/U5mz0SRT">Japan</a>, <a href="/facts/South_Korea/pCobAaVw">South Korea</a> and <a href="/facts/Turkey/KIYAWAs0">Turkey</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:463" href="#fn:463">463</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:464" href="#fn:464">464</a>[obsolete source]

Iran's automotive industry is the second most active industry of Iran, after its oil and gas industry. <a href="/facts/Iran_Tractor_Manufacturing_Company/GeA7aHLn">ITMCO</a> is the biggest tractor manufacturer in the Middle East. Iran is the <a href="/facts/List_of_countries_by_motor_vehicle_production/g3VKNpDs">12th largest automaker in the world</a>. Construction is one of the most important sectors in Iran accounting for 20–50% of the total private investment.
Iran is ranked among 15 major mineral-rich countries.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:465" href="#fn:465">465</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:466" href="#fn:466">466</a> Iran has become self-sufficient in designing, building and operating dams and power plants. Iran is one of the six countries in the world that manufacture gas- and steam-powered turbines.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:467" href="#fn:467">467</a>

<h3>Transport</h3>
This section is an excerpt from <a href="/facts/Transport_in_Iran/WyPBG0ua">Transport in Iran</a>.[<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Transport_in_Iran&action=edit">edit</a>]

Iran has a long paved road system linking most of its towns and all of its cities. 
Trains operate on 11,106 km (6,942 mi) of railroad track.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:468" href="#fn:468">468</a> The country's major port of entry is <a href="/facts/Bandar-Abbas/82hFhLj4">Bandar-Abbas</a> on the <a href="/facts/Strait_of_Hormuz/GEQfLwb2">Strait of Hormuz</a>. After arriving in Iran, imported goods are distributed throughout the country by trucks and freight trains. The <a href="/facts/Tehran/S8dmdwyG">Tehran</a>–<a href="/facts/Bandar-Abbas/82hFhLj4">Bandar-Abbas</a> railroad, opened in 1995, connects Bandar-Abbas to the railroad system of Central Asia via Tehran and <a href="/facts/Mashhad/2kYE0xWa">Mashhad</a>. Other major ports include <a href="/facts/Bandar-e_Anzali/oSuJMqnG">Bandar e-Anzali</a> and <a href="/facts/Bandar_Torkaman/T9Tn2bzg">Bandar e-Torkeman</a> on the <a href="/facts/Caspian_Sea/Ymc08gkR">Caspian Sea</a> and <a href="/facts/Khorramshahr/ehdSjwmP">Khorramshahr</a> and <a href="/facts/Bandar_Imam/bNRug9Ae">Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni</a> on the <a href="/facts/Persian_Gulf/W78AfnC1">Persian Gulf</a>.
<a href="/facts/List_of_airports_in_Iran/tmaz5QKc">Dozens of cities have airports</a> that serve passenger and cargo planes. <a href="/facts/Iran_Air/M5J0IPD7">Iran Air</a>, the national airline, was founded in 1962 and operates domestic and international flights.

<a href="/facts/Transport_in_Iran/WyPBG0ua">Transport in Iran</a> is inexpensive because of <a href="/facts/Iranian_Economic_Reform_Plan/UhW40cUh">the government's subsidization of the price of gasoline</a>. The downside is a <a href="/facts/Iranian_targeted_subsidy_plan/kr1NNaEA">huge draw on government coffers</a>, economic inefficiency because of highly <a href="/facts/Energy_in_Iran/FrhFJllt">wasteful consumption patterns</a>, <a href="/facts/2007_Gasoline_Rationing_Plan_in_Iran/GvqvBJMf">contraband with neighboring countries</a> and <a href="/facts/Environmental_issues_in_Iran/X3kApA2y">air pollution</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:469" href="#fn:469">469</a>
<h3>Energy</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Energy_in_Iran/FrhFJllt">Energy in Iran</a> and <a href="/facts/Petroleum_industry_in_Iran/hwn01y6y">Petroleum industry in Iran</a>

Iran is an <a href="/facts/Energy_superpower/wpmFkHME">energy superpower</a> and petroleum plays a key part.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:470" href="#fn:470">470</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:471" href="#fn:471">471</a> As of 2023, Iran produced 4% of the world's <a href="/facts/Crude_oil/IQV0bHVd">crude oil</a> (3.6 million barrels (570,000 m3) per day),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:472" href="#fn:472">472</a> which generates US$36bn<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:473" href="#fn:473">473</a> of export revenue and is the main source of <a href="/facts/Foreign_reserves/6fDTWn7l">foreign currency</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:474" href="#fn:474">474</a> Oil and gas reserves are estimated at 1.2 trn barrels;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:475" href="#fn:475">475</a> Iran holds 10% of world <a href="/facts/Oil_reserves/BwyxFyPG">oil reserves</a> and 15% for gas. Iran ranks 3rd in <a href="/facts/List_of_countries_by_proven_oil_reserves/1TqTuhrp">oil reserves</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:476" href="#fn:476">476</a> and is <a href="/facts/OPEC/aQ9cxyG6">OPEC</a>'s 2nd largest exporter. Iran has the 2nd largest <a href="/facts/Natural_gas_in_Iran/C8H6Srrh">gas reserves</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:477" href="#fn:477">477</a> and <a href="/facts/List_of_countries_by_natural_gas_production/o6XpAgGv">3rd largest natural gas production</a>. In 2019, Iran discovered a southern oil field of 50 bn barrels.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:478" href="#fn:478">478</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:479" href="#fn:479">479</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:480" href="#fn:480">480</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:481" href="#fn:481">481</a> In April 2024, the <a href="/facts/National_Iranian_Oil_Company/XMFasPM8">NIOC</a> discovered 10 giant shale oil deposits, totalling 2.6 bn barrels.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:482" href="#fn:482">482</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:483" href="#fn:483">483</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:484" href="#fn:484">484</a> Iran plans to invest $500 billion in oil by 2025.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:485" href="#fn:485">485</a>
Iran manufactures 60–70% of <a href="/facts/Industry_of_Iran/5kqlCMf4">its industrial equipment</a> domestically, including turbines, pumps, catalysts, <a href="/facts/Oil_refinery/yeaW0UMv">refineries</a>, <a href="/facts/Oil_tanker/WHUhISVB">oil tankers</a>, <a href="/facts/Drilling_rig/o4esL5fh">drilling rigs</a>, <a href="/facts/Oil_platform/n1eKvqpy">offshore platforms</a>, towers, pipes, and exploration instruments.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:486" href="#fn:486">486</a> The addition of new <a href="/facts/Hydroelectricity/zEeJIK2B">hydroelectric</a> stations and streamlining of conventional coal and oil-fired stations increased installed capacity to 33 GW; about 75% was based on natural gas, 18% on oil, and 7% on hydroelectric power. In 2004, Iran opened its first wind-powered and geothermal plants, and the first <a href="/facts/Solar_power/NpgmEbU2">solar</a> thermal plant began in 2009. Iran is the world's third country to develop <a href="/facts/Gas_to_liquids/vQa6D4r9">GTL</a> technology.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:487" href="#fn:487">487</a>
<a href="/facts/Demographics_of_Iran/gUPqaNaU">Demographic</a> trends and intensified industrialisation have caused electric power demand to grow by 8% per year. The government's goal of 53 GW of installed capacity by 2010 is to be reached by bringing on line <a href="/facts/List_of_power_stations_in_Iran/zmRDz5eI">new gas-fired plants</a>, and adding hydropower and nuclear generation capacity. <a href="/facts/Bushehr_Nuclear_Power_Plant/v7cU7pzB">Iran's first nuclear power plant</a> went online in 2011.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:488" href="#fn:488">488</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:489" href="#fn:489">489</a>
Despite being an energy superpower as of 2024-2025 <a href="/facts/Iranian_energy_crisis/VHbEjssM">Iran suffers from an energy crisis</a>, manifested by many power outages.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:490" href="#fn:490">490</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:491" href="#fn:491">491</a>

<h3>Science and technology</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Science_and_technology_in_Iran/Iqm5WvyB">Science and technology in Iran</a>

Iran has made considerable advances in science and technology, <a href="/facts/International_sanctions_against_Iran/XV81s5Pc">despite international sanctions</a>. In the biomedical sciences, Iran's <a href="/facts/Institute_of_Biochemistry_and_Biophysics/w6LE7ASe">Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics</a> has a <a href="/facts/UNESCO/QSbkRv3o">UNESCO</a> chair in biology.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:492" href="#fn:492">492</a> In 2006, <a href="/facts/List_of_contemporary_Iranian_scientists%2c_scholars%2c_and_engineers/dC3y5Nmq">Iranian scientists</a> successfully <a href="/facts/Cloning/Vb6SM4c7">cloned</a> a sheep at the Royan Research Centre in Tehran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:493" href="#fn:493">493</a> <a href="/facts/Stem_cell/qgB9dFrI">Stem cell</a> research is among the top 10 in the world.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:494" href="#fn:494">494</a> Iran ranks 15th in the world in <a href="/facts/Nanotechnology/Co4FFNfY">nanotechnologies</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:495" href="#fn:495">495</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:496" href="#fn:496">496</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:497" href="#fn:497">497</a> Iranian scientists outside Iran have made major scientific contributions. In 1960, <a href="/facts/Ali_Javan/vxzhH9pn">Ali Javan</a> co-invented the first <a href="/facts/Gas_laser/1eIYl75j">gas laser</a>, and <a href="/facts/Fuzzy_set/BGWudHJq">fuzzy set</a> theory was introduced by <a href="/facts/Lotfi_A._Zadeh/WojTlG4Y">Lotfi A. Zadeh</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:498" href="#fn:498">498</a>
Cardiologist <a href="/facts/Tofy_Mussivand/GnemXxeI">Tofy Mussivand</a> invented and developed the first artificial cardiac pump, the precursor of the <a href="/facts/Artificial_heart/BeLtuRoE">artificial heart</a>. Furthering research in diabetes, the <a href="/facts/Glycated_hemoglobin/jTNaU7Jv">HbA1c</a> was discovered by <a href="/facts/Samuel_Rahbar/Yz5EroMX">Samuel Rahbar</a>. Many papers in <a href="/facts/String_theory/HUJFIPYH">string theory</a> are published in Iran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:499" href="#fn:499">499</a> In 2014, Iranian mathematician <a href="/facts/Maryam_Mirzakhani/V5F47oee">Maryam Mirzakhani</a> became the first woman, and Iranian, to receive the <a href="/facts/Fields_Medal/khFmkEnm">Fields Medal</a>, the highest prize in mathematics.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:500" href="#fn:500">500</a>
Iran increased its publication output nearly tenfold from 1996 through 2004, and ranked first in output growth rate, followed by China.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:501" href="#fn:501">501</a> According to a study by <a href="/facts/SCImago_Journal_Rank/WwmhLaB7">SCImago</a> in 2012, Iran would rank fourth in research output by 2018, if the trend persisted.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:502" href="#fn:502">502</a> The Iranian humanoid robot <a href="/facts/Surena_(robot)/hYoVQMrd">Sorena 2</a>, which was designed by engineers at the <a href="/facts/University_of_Tehran/3NkndgMK">University of Tehran</a>, was unveiled in 2010. The <a href="/facts/Institute_of_Electrical_and_Electronics_Engineers/UddC4pUW">Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers</a> (IEEE) has placed the name of Surena among the five most prominent robots, after analysing its performance.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:503" href="#fn:503">503</a> 
According to a 2019 study by Isabel Campos-Varela et al., Iran recorded the highest proportion of retracted publications globally, with 15.52 retractions per 10,000 publications. Media reports from 2023 indicate that Iran continues to rank among the countries with the highest retraction rates. Common types of misconduct include fraudulent peer review processes, plagiarism, and data fabrication. Data from the Retraction Watch Leaderboard further highlights that two of the 32 individuals with the highest number of retracted articles worldwide are based in Iran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:504" href="#fn:504">504</a> Iran was ranked 64th in the <a href="/facts/Global_Innovation_Index/mIqcsoF4">Global Innovation Index</a> in 2024.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:505" href="#fn:505">505</a>

<h4>Iranian Space Agency</h4>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Iranian_Space_Agency/UEzFYESI">Iranian Space Agency</a>, <a href="/facts/Iranian_Space_Research_Center/NFphxtP4">Iranian Space Research Center</a>, and <a href="/facts/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps_Aerospace_Force/xqEEBdFl">Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force</a>

The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) was established in 2004. Iran became an orbital-launch-capable nation in 2009,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:506" href="#fn:506">506</a> and is a founding member of the <a href="/facts/United_Nations_Committee_on_the_Peaceful_Uses_of_Outer_Space/30vF4mgo">United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space</a>. Iran placed its domestically built <a href="/facts/Satellite/PTX8c68t">satellite</a> <a href="/facts/Omid/Sjppa7XV">Omid</a> into orbit on the 30th anniversary of the Revolution, in 2009,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:507" href="#fn:507">507</a> through its first expendable launch vehicle <a href="/facts/Safir_(rocket)/jmDrfeug">Safir</a>. It became the <a href="/facts/Timeline_of_first_orbital_launches_by_country/lIV3IcV3">9th country</a> capable of both producing a satellite and sending it into <a href="/facts/Space/tq6LUM3C">space</a> from a domestically made <a href="/facts/Launch_pad/6ePPb2ac">launcher</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:508" href="#fn:508">508</a> <a href="/facts/Simorgh_(rocket)/YujCuwTg">Simorgh</a>'s launch in 2016, is the successor of Safir.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:509" href="#fn:509">509</a>
In January 2024, Iran launched the <a href="/facts/Soraya_(satellite)/WNfaGHtj">Soraya satellite</a> into its highest orbit yet (750 km),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:510" href="#fn:510">510</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:511" href="#fn:511">511</a> a new space launch milestone for the country.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:512" href="#fn:512">512</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:513" href="#fn:513">513</a> It was launched by <a href="/facts/Qaem_100/HHwxIWee">Qaem 100 rocket</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:514" href="#fn:514">514</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:515" href="#fn:515">515</a> Iran also successfully launched 3 indigenous satellites, The Mahda, Kayan and Hatef,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:516" href="#fn:516">516</a> into orbit using the Simorgh carrier rocket.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:517" href="#fn:517">517</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:518" href="#fn:518">518</a> It was the first time in the country's history that it simultaneously sent three satellites into space.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:519" href="#fn:519">519</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:520" href="#fn:520">520</a> The three satellites are designed for testing advanced satellite subsystems, space-based positioning technology, and narrowband communication.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:521" href="#fn:521">521</a>
In February 2024, Iran launched its domestically developed imaging satellite, Pars 1, from Russia into orbit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:522" href="#fn:522">522</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:523" href="#fn:523">523</a> This was the second time since August 2022, when Russia launched another Iranian remote-sensing, <a href="/facts/Khayyam_satellite/m5vqtvRx">Khayyam satellite</a>, into orbit from <a href="/facts/Kazakhstan/Vfs8NI6e">Kazakhstan</a>, reflecting deep scientific cooperation between the countries.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:524" href="#fn:524">524</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:525" href="#fn:525">525</a>

<h3>Telecommunication</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Communications_in_Iran/8xDltmsD">Communications in Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Telecommunication_Company_of_Iran/Uq4qthgh">Telecommunication Company of Iran</a>, and <a href="/facts/Iran_Electronics_Industries/DatKsUpe">Iran Electronics Industries</a>
Iran's telecommunications industry is almost entirely state-owned, dominated by the <a href="/facts/Telecommunication_Company_of_Iran/Uq4qthgh">Telecommunication Company of Iran</a> (TCI). As of 2020, 70 million Iranians use high-speed mobile internet. Iran is among the first five countries which have had a growth rate of over 20 percent and the highest level of development in telecommunication.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:526" href="#fn:526">526</a> Iran has been awarded the UNESCO special certificate for providing telecommunication services to rural areas.
Globally, Iran ranks 75th in mobile <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">internet</a> speed and 153rd in fixed internet speed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:527" href="#fn:527">527</a>

<h2 id="demographics">Demographics</h2>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Demographics_of_Iran/gUPqaNaU">Demographics of Iran</a>

Iran's population grew rapidly from about 19 million in 1956 to about 85 million by February 2023.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:528" href="#fn:528">528</a> Iran's <a href="/facts/Total_fertility_rate/ugganzwn">fertility rate</a> has dropped dramatically, from 6.5 children born per woman to about 1.7 two decades later,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:529" href="#fn:529">529</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:530" href="#fn:530">530</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:531" href="#fn:531">531</a> leading to a population growth rate of about 1.39% in 2018.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:532" href="#fn:532">532</a> Due to its young population, studies project that the growth will continue to slow until it stabilises at around 105 million by 2050.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:533" href="#fn:533">533</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:534" href="#fn:534">534</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:535" href="#fn:535">535</a>
Iran hosts one of the largest <a href="/facts/Refugee/VISfRRnT">refugee</a> populations, with almost one million,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:536" href="#fn:536">536</a> mostly from <a href="/facts/Afghan_refugees/mrNMwIvm">Afghanistan</a> and <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:537" href="#fn:537">537</a> According to the <a href="/facts/Constitution_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/EzYgBsgF">Iranian Constitution</a>, the government is required to provide every citizen with access to <a href="/facts/Social_security/awUwQxkd">social security</a>, covering retirement, unemployment, old age, <a href="/facts/Disability/vr9BPUxo">disability</a>, accidents, calamities, health and medical treatment and care services.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:538" href="#fn:538">538</a> This is covered by <a href="/facts/Taxation_in_Iran/2TBHIa9q">tax revenues</a> and income derived from public contributions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:539" href="#fn:539">539</a>
Iran has one of the highest urban growth rates in the world. From 1950 to 2002, the urban proportion of the population increased from 27% to 60%.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:540" href="#fn:540">540</a> Iran's population is concentrated in its western half, especially in the north, north-west and west.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:541" href="#fn:541">541</a>
Tehran, with a population of around 9.4 million, is Iran's capital and largest city. Iran's second most populous city, <a href="/facts/Mashhad/2kYE0xWa">Mashhad</a>, has a population of around 3.4 million, and is capital of the province of <a href="/facts/Razavi_Khorasan_province/WKm49vLa">Razavi Khorasan</a>. <a href="/facts/Isfahan/BLw4k2fm">Isfahan</a> has a population of around 2.2 million and is Iran's third most populous city. It is the capital of <a href="/facts/Isfahan_province/cb64IGj6">Isfahan province</a> and was the third capital of the <a href="/facts/Safavid_dynasty/QmhkbI06">Safavid Empire</a>.

<table><tbody><tr><th colspan="10"> <ul><li>v</li><li>t</li><li>e</li></ul> Largest cities or towns in Iran2016 census</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/List_of_Iranian_cities_by_population/ItvWMs39">Rank</a></th><th><a href="/facts/List_of_cities_in_Iran/Xz564R4r">Name</a></th><th><a href="/facts/Provinces_of_Iran/pj9D4UcB">Province</a></th><th><a href="/facts/List_of_Iranian_cities_by_population/ItvWMs39"> Pop.</a></th><th><a href="/facts/List_of_Iranian_cities_by_population/ItvWMs39">Rank</a></th><th><a href="/facts/List_of_cities_in_Iran/Xz564R4r">Name</a></th><th><a href="/facts/Provinces_of_Iran/pj9D4UcB">Province</a></th><th><a href="/facts/List_of_Iranian_cities_by_population/ItvWMs39"> Pop.</a></th></tr><tr><td>1</td><td><a href="/facts/Tehran/S8dmdwyG">Tehran</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Tehran_province/PzK5wvEw">Tehran</a></td><td>8,693,706</td><td>11</td><td><a href="/facts/Rasht/B36YuSnx">Rasht</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Gilan_province/C0czQyXI">Gilan</a></td><td>679,995</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Mashhad/2kYE0xWa">Mashhad</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Razavi_Khorasan/WKm49vLa">Razavi Khorasan</a></td><td>3,001,184</td><td>12</td><td><a href="/facts/Zahedan/pQMnKwDn">Zahedan</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Sistan_and_Baluchestan_province/mxk3YB6h">Sistan and Baluchestan</a></td><td>587,730</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td><a href="/facts/Isfahan/BLw4k2fm">Isfahan</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Isfahan_province/cb64IGj6">Isfahan</a></td><td>1,961,260</td><td>13</td><td><a href="/facts/Hamadan/oKCzyFga">Hamadan</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Hamadan_province/YcJ59tYk">Hamadan</a></td><td>554,406</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td><a href="/facts/Karaj/yG1jHjmT">Karaj</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Alborz_province/oIx5S1UK">Alborz</a></td><td>1,592,492</td><td>14</td><td><a href="/facts/Kerman/JK9j4dxh">Kerman</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Kerman_province/8zXYKhlc">Kerman</a></td><td>537,718</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td><a href="/facts/Shiraz/Kxo5ExRq">Shiraz</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Fars_province/rV5P1YEg">Fars</a></td><td>1,565,572</td><td>15</td><td><a href="/facts/Yazd/6Skk2ec8">Yazd</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Yazd_province/22jlfTvU">Yazd</a></td><td>529,673</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td><a href="/facts/Tabriz/9aPM2trV">Tabriz</a></td><td><a href="/facts/East_Azarbaijan/DMqfMprQ">East Azarbaijan</a></td><td>1,558,693</td><td>16</td><td><a href="/facts/Ardabil/2HdbrmV5">Ardabil</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Ardabil_province/pp1VIRNY">Ardabil</a></td><td>529,374</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td><a href="/facts/Qom/kRXpjzGm">Qom</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Qom_province/hU9ICu3n">Qom</a></td><td>1,201,158</td><td>17</td><td><a href="/facts/Bandar_Abbas/82hFhLj4">Bandar Abbas</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Hormozgan_province/H6tMJGCo">Hormozgan</a></td><td>526,648</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td><a href="/facts/Ahvaz/2lmaxTdq">Ahvaz</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Khuzestan/zoxmT8wc">Khuzestan</a></td><td>1,184,788</td><td>18</td><td><a href="/facts/Arak%2c_Iran/ccyeYh98">Arak</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Markazi_province/aLoMkTEU">Markazi</a></td><td>520,944</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td><a href="/facts/Kermanshah/X1fTknq2">Kermanshah</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Kermanshah_province/jWQCNjjj">Kermanshah</a></td><td>946,651</td><td>19</td><td><a href="/facts/Eslamshahr/ENNXqKMt">Eslamshahr</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Tehran_province/PzK5wvEw">Tehran</a></td><td>448,129</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td><a href="/facts/Urmia/EPQ1MK0D">Urmia</a></td><td><a href="/facts/West_Azarbaijan_province/xdW7INn7">West Azarbaijan</a></td><td>736,224</td><td>20</td><td><a href="/facts/Zanjan%2c_Iran/zzJ4cm8C">Zanjan</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Zanjan_province/NUj0wJpY">Zanjan</a></td><td>430,871</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Ethnic groups</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Ethnicities_in_Iran/Kp5bCkVV">Ethnicities in Iran</a>

Ethnic group composition remains a point of debate, mainly regarding the largest and second largest ethnic groups, the Persians and Azerbaijanis, due to the lack of Iranian state censuses based on ethnicity.
According to a 2003 estimate, <a href="/facts/Persians/4GhM3jl2">Persians</a> make up 51% of the population, while <a href="/facts/Iranian_Azerbaijanis/G5r9Cw99">Azerbaijanis</a> make up 24%, <a href="/facts/Gilaks/znmJnxTU">Gilaks</a> and <a href="/facts/Mazanderani_people/wpPIYIve">Mazenderanis</a> 8%, Kurds 7%, <a href="/facts/Iranian_Arabs/dHJe5k4T">Arabs</a> 3%, <a href="/facts/Lurs/vxLHMqjh">Lurs</a> 2%, <a href="/facts/Baloch_people/qXoSXYnq">Balochis</a> 2%, <a href="/facts/Iranian_Turkmens/GjGn0rQc">Turkmens</a> 2% and other groups (including <a href="/facts/Iranian_Armenians/a0VsGYEe">Armenians</a>, Jews, <a href="/facts/Assyrians_in_Iran/4kXSfytq">Assyrians</a>, <a href="/facts/Qashqai_people/wQ9UbFan">Qashqai</a>, <a href="/facts/Shahsevan/fuGXbWtk">Shahsevan</a>) make up the remaining 1%.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:542" href="#fn:542">542</a> The <a href="/facts/Library_of_Congress/TfB6dEN5">Library of Congress</a> in 2008 issued slightly different estimates: 65% Persians (also including Gilaks and Mazenderanis<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:543" href="#fn:543">543</a>), 16% Azerbaijanis, 7% Kurds, 6% Lurs, 2% Arabs, 2% Balochis, 1% Turkic tribal groups (such as Qashqai), and non-Persian, non-Turkic groups (including Armenians, <a href="/facts/Iranian_Georgians/JoYwnjbV">Georgians</a>, and Assyrians) less than 1%.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:544" href="#fn:544">544</a>
<a href="/facts/Ethnic-based_discrimination_in_Iran/QX73JQra">Ethnic based discrimination</a> is prevalent in Iran. Minorities in Iran have been disproportionately affected by the ongoing <a href="/facts/Political_repression_in_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/JTXPMDVd">crackdown aimed at repressing</a> the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement, according to the UN Fact-Finding Mission.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:545" href="#fn:545">545</a>

<h3>Languages</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Languages_of_Iran/nulAEcmc">Languages of Iran</a>

Most of the population speaks <a href="/facts/Persian_language/jfUYbHbt">Persian</a>, Iran's <a href="/facts/Official_language/yCH2URym">official</a> and <a href="/facts/National_language/QtJmz1H4">national language</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:546" href="#fn:546">546</a> Others include speakers of other <a href="/facts/Iranian_languages/JaJyqM4t">Iranian languages</a>, within the greater <a href="/facts/Indo-European_languages/L34TfgSr">Indo-European</a> family, and languages belonging to other ethnicities. The <a href="/facts/Gilaki_language/IrKIqy44">Gilaki</a> and <a href="/facts/Mazanderani_language/gkWdr7b3">Mazenderani</a> languages are widely spoken in <a href="/facts/Gilan_Province/C0czQyXI">Gilan</a> and <a href="/facts/Mazandaran_Province/oC7f1Td3">Mazenderan</a>, northern Iran. The <a href="/facts/Talysh_language/dPyfvL8x">Talysh language</a> is spoken in parts of Gilan. Varieties of <a href="/facts/Kurdish_languages/6LSckYAz">Kurdish</a> are concentrated in the province of <a href="/facts/Kurdistan_Province/3yUmkKBt">Kurdistan</a> and nearby areas. In <a href="/facts/Khuzestan_Province/zoxmT8wc">Khuzestan</a>, <a href="/facts/Persian_dialects_in_Khuzestan/x6l982lM">several dialects of Persian</a> are spoken. South Iran also houses the <a href="/facts/Luri_language/eMUvd40S">Luri</a> and <a href="/facts/Achomi_language/EKBtAG8L">Lari</a> languages.
<a href="/facts/Azerbaijani_language/RBrpdUk2">Azerbaijani</a>, the most-spoken minority language in Iran,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:547" href="#fn:547">547</a> and other <a href="/facts/Turkic_languages/RXqsmfgh">Turkic languages</a> and dialects are found in various regions, especially <a href="/facts/Azerbaijan_(Iran)/m0hNEXRu">Azerbaijan</a>. Notable minority languages include <a href="/facts/Armenian_language/tELuE2wG">Armenian</a>, <a href="/facts/Georgian_language/DoKtMLfq">Georgian</a>, <a href="/facts/Neo-Aramaic_languages/tTUddtXu">Neo-Aramaic</a>, and <a href="/facts/Arabic/A1e66hVV">Arabic</a>. <a href="/facts/Khuzestani_Arabic/mt8Y535w">Khuzi Arabic</a> is spoken by the <a href="/facts/Ahwazi_Arabs/tclY5zjd">Arabs in Khuzestan</a>, and the wider group of <a href="/facts/Iranian_Arabs/dHJe5k4T">Iranian Arabs</a>. <a href="/facts/Circassian_languages/XCERYdxs">Circassian</a> was once widely spoken by the large Circassian minority, but, due to assimilation, no sizable number of Circassians speak the language anymore.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:548" href="#fn:548">548</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:549" href="#fn:549">549</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:550" href="#fn:550">550</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:551" href="#fn:551">551</a>

<h3>Religion</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Religion_in_Iran/9p3D99th">Religion in Iran</a>

<a href="/facts/Twelver_Shi%2527ism/sUejq9pd">Twelver Shi'a</a> sect <a href="/facts/Islam/zDLbL45C">Islam</a> is the <a href="/facts/State_religion/K7E28FLL">state religion</a>, to which 90–95% of Iranians adhere according to both official and unofficial sources, such as the CIA.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:552" href="#fn:552">552</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:553" href="#fn:553">553</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:554" href="#fn:554">554</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:555" href="#fn:555">555</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:556" href="#fn:556">556</a> About 5–10% of the population are in the <a href="/facts/Sunni_Islam/WYo0zeq0">Sunni</a> and <a href="/facts/Sufism/NFcCu5gP">Sufi</a> branches of Islam.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:557" href="#fn:557">557</a>
The <a href="/facts/Sunni_Islam/WYo0zeq0">Sunni</a> branch of Islam, <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christianity</a>, <a href="/facts/Judaism/tjQ5Tgs6">Judaism</a>, and <a href="/facts/Zoroastrianism/rM0QUMtg">Zoroastrianism</a> are officially recognised by the government and have reserved seats in the Parliament.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:558" href="#fn:558">558</a> There is a large population of adherents to <a href="/facts/Yarsanism/c6Kpj0Xs">Yarsanism</a>, a <a href="/facts/Kurds_in_Iran/p3cvTGQJ">Kurdish</a> indigenous religion, estimated to comprise 500,000 to 1,000,000 followers.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:559" href="#fn:559">559</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:560" href="#fn:560">560</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:561" href="#fn:561">561</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:562" href="#fn:562">562</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:563" href="#fn:563">563</a> The <a href="/facts/Bah%25C3%25A1%25CA%25BC%25C3%25AD_Faith/orkrDxjS">Baháʼí Faith</a> is not officially recognised and has been subject to official persecution; the <a href="/facts/Persecution_of_Bah%25C3%25A1%25CA%25BC%25C3%25ADs/dkmxdvEE">persecution of Baháʼís</a> has increased since the Revolution.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:564" href="#fn:564">564</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:565" href="#fn:565">565</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:566" href="#fn:566">566</a> <a href="/facts/Irreligion/wr8NFHPJ">Irreligion</a> is not recognised by the government. Iran is home to the largest Jewish community in the <a href="/facts/Muslim_world/n9vVGogr">Muslim World</a> and the <a href="/facts/Middle_East/8CD6pLWv">Middle East</a>, outside of Israel.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:567" href="#fn:567">567</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:568" href="#fn:568">568</a> Around 250,000 to 370,000 <a href="/facts/Christianity_in_Iran/3flrN3eF">Christians reside in Iran</a>, and it is the largest recognised minority religion. Most are of Armenian background, as well as a sizable minority of Assyrians.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:569" href="#fn:569">569</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:570" href="#fn:570">570</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:571" href="#fn:571">571</a> The Iranian government has supported the rebuilding and renovation of Armenian churches, and has supported the <a href="/facts/Armenian_Monastic_Ensembles_of_Iran/6r9tK6qa">Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran</a>. In 2019, the government registered the <a href="/facts/Vank_Cathedral/2LCHVqLz">Vank Cathedral</a>, in <a href="/facts/Isfahan/BLw4k2fm">Isfahan</a>, as a <a href="/facts/World_Heritage_Site/6AbWWKV4">World Heritage Site</a>. Three Armenian churches in Iran are included in the <a href="/facts/World_Heritage_Site/6AbWWKV4">World Heritage List</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:572" href="#fn:572">572</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:573" href="#fn:573">573</a>

<h3>Education</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Education_in_Iran/yC6N5b5N">Education in Iran</a>

Education is highly centralised. <a href="/facts/K%25E2%2580%259312/FKtI5sC0">K–12</a> is supervised by the <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Education_(Iran)/JrBdGVA1">Ministry of Education</a>. Higher education is supervised by the <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Science%2c_Research_and_Technology_(Iran)/vH7rz51x">Ministry of Science and Technology</a>. Literacy among people aged 15 and older was 86% as of 2016, with men (90%) significantly more literate than women (81%). Government expenditure on education is around 4% of GDP.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:574" href="#fn:574">574</a>
The requirement to enter into higher education is to have a <a href="/facts/High_school_diploma/8dMgxNnU">high school diploma</a> and pass the <a href="/facts/Iranian_University_Entrance_Exam/w7JDExvT">Iranian University Entrance Exam</a>. Many students do a one–two-year course of <a href="/facts/University-preparatory_school/t05C1SEd">pre-university</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:575" href="#fn:575">575</a> Iran's higher education has different levels of diplomas, including an <a href="/facts/Associate_degree/0L2e8NtF">associate degree</a> in two years, a <a href="/facts/Bachelor%2527s_degree/s739u69z">bachelor's degree</a> in four years, and a <a href="/facts/Master%2527s_degree/lQ5hT1cH">master's degree</a> in two years, after which another exam allows the candidate to pursue a <a href="/facts/Doctor_of_Philosophy/paJumdN8">doctoral</a> programme.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:576" href="#fn:576">576</a>

<h3>Health</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Health_in_Iran/0kD8htpl">Health in Iran</a> and <a href="/facts/Healthcare_in_Iran/7IGdEXyA">Healthcare in Iran</a>

Healthcare is provided by the public-governmental system, the private sector, and <a href="/facts/Non-governmental_organization/qxQSsxsI">NGOs</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:577" href="#fn:577">577</a>
Iran is the only country in the world with a <a href="/facts/Organ_trade/Ljsj5aM6">legal organ trade</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:578" href="#fn:578">578</a> Iran has been able to extend public health <a href="/facts/Preventive_medicine/pWGlacXu">preventive services</a> through the establishment of an extensive <a href="/facts/Primary_Health_Centre/pEp3bBCA">Primary Health Care Network</a>. As a result, child and maternal mortality rates have fallen significantly, and life expectancy at birth has risen. Iran's medical knowledge rank is 17th globally, and 1st in the Middle East and North Africa. In terms of medical science production index, Iran ranks 16th in the world.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:579" href="#fn:579">579</a> Iran is fast emerging as a preferred destination for <a href="/facts/Medical_tourism/YbJ28TqJ">medical tourism</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:580" href="#fn:580">580</a>
Iran faces the common problem of other <a href="/facts/Demographics_of_Iran/gUPqaNaU">young demographic nations</a> in the region, which is keeping pace with growth of an already huge demand for public services. An anticipated increase in the population growth rate will increase the need for <a href="/facts/Public_health/4563Kre9">public health</a> infrastructures and services.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:581" href="#fn:581">581</a> In 2016, about 90% of Iranians had <a href="/facts/Health_insurance/sGeHMbID">health insurance</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:582" href="#fn:582">582</a>

<h2 id="culture">Culture</h2>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Culture_of_Iran/3nU0YMQH">Culture of Iran</a>
<h3>Art</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Persian_art/BM6Foe9y">Iranian art</a>, <a href="/facts/Arts_of_Iran/r2p3KFN5">Arts of Iran</a>, and <a href="/facts/Iranian_modern_and_contemporary_art/K5kBISwI">Iranian modern and contemporary art</a>

Iran has one of the richest <a href="/facts/Art/6snb7Ixz">art</a> heritages in history and been strong in many media including <a href="/facts/Architecture/FccThs8G">architecture</a>, <a href="/facts/Painting/ygQ47K3b">painting</a>, <a href="/facts/Literature/CmUDxokU">literature</a>, <a href="/facts/Music/wvCBQYQ3">music</a>, <a href="/facts/Metalworking/eAT0Pvz2">metalworking</a>, <a href="/facts/Stonemasonry/kzvdRB4A">stonemasonry</a>, <a href="/facts/Weaving/dESwh5UP">weaving</a>, <a href="/facts/Calligraphy/lFIUgDeW">calligraphy</a> and <a href="/facts/Sculpture/F01q8gtb">sculpture</a>. At different times, influences from neighbouring civilisations have been important, and latterly Persian art gave and received major influences as part of the wider styles of <a href="/facts/Islamic_art/DvrvCYuK">Islamic art</a>.
From the <a href="/facts/Achaemenid_Empire/avlzWxF0">Achaemenid Empire</a> (550–330 BC), the courts of successive dynasties led the style of Persian art, and court-sponsored art left many of the most impressive pieces that remain. The Islamic style of dense decoration, geometrically laid out, developed in Iran into an elegant and harmonious style, combining motifs derived from plants with Chinese motifs such as the cloud-band, and often animals represented at a smaller scale. During the <a href="/facts/Safavid_dynasty/QmhkbI06">Safavid Empire</a> in the 16th century, this style was used across a variety of media, and diffused from the court artists of the king, most being painters.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:583" href="#fn:583">583</a>
By the time of the Sasanians, Iranian art had a renaissance.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:584" href="#fn:584">584</a> During the Middle Ages, Sasanian art played a prominent role in the formation of European and Asian mediaeval art.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:585" href="#fn:585">585</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:586" href="#fn:586">586</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:587" href="#fn:587">587</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:588" href="#fn:588">588</a> The Safavid era is known as the Golden Age of Iranian art.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:589" href="#fn:589">589</a> <a href="/facts/Safavid_art/dXydbr3P">Safavid art</a> exerted noticeable influences upon the <a href="/facts/Ottoman_Empire/6QvfTRsg">Ottomans</a>, the <a href="/facts/Mughal_Empire/yRg2kAy5">Mughals</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Deccan_sultanates/lQ55ugKR">Deccans</a>, and was influential through its fashion and garden architecture on 11th–17th-century Europe.
Iran's <a href="/facts/Iranian_modern_and_contemporary_art/K5kBISwI">contemporary art</a> traces its origins to <a href="/facts/Kamal-ol-molk/DmGUrgvx">Kamal-ol-molk</a>, a prominent <a href="/facts/Realism_(arts)/qn1xtzkf">realist</a> painter at the court of the <a href="/facts/Qajar_dynasty/sz5ulL0k">Qajar Empire</a> who affected the norms of painting and adopted a naturalistic style that would compete with photographic works. A new Iranian school of fine art was established by him in 1928, and was followed by the so-called "coffeehouse" style of painting. Iran's <a href="/facts/Avant-garde/6ofnXfo4">avant-garde</a> modernists emerged by the arrival of new western influences during World War II. The contemporary art scene originates in the late 1940s, and Tehran's first modern art gallery, Apadana, was opened in 1949 by Mahmud Javadipur, Hosein Kazemi, and Hushang Ajudani.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:590" href="#fn:590">590</a> The new movements received official encouragement by the 1950s,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:591" href="#fn:591">591</a> which led to the emergence of artists such as <a href="/facts/Marcos_Grigorian/qtIlES99">Marcos Grigorian</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:592" href="#fn:592">592</a>

<h3>Architecture</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Iranian_architecture/5E1dEuXW">Iranian architecture</a> and <a href="/facts/Persian_gardens/S3wWJ4LK">Persian gardens</a>

The history of architecture in Iran dates back to at least 5,000 BC, with characteristic examples distributed over an area from what is now <a href="/facts/Turkey/KIYAWAs0">Turkey</a> and <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a> to <a href="/facts/Uzbekistan/o8wfw2xR">Uzbekistan</a> and <a href="/facts/Tajikistan/xLLXqHEJ">Tajikistan</a>, and from the <a href="/facts/Caucasus/sE8P8Ejg">Caucasus</a> to <a href="/facts/Zanzibar/Nj7CFq9B">Zanzibar</a>. The Iranians made early use of <a href="/facts/Mathematics/pxTouaz4">mathematics</a>, <a href="/facts/Geometry/wTQf5ffQ">geometry</a> and <a href="/facts/Astronomy/0ArJVM1p">astronomy</a> in their architecture, yielding a tradition with structural and aesthetic variety.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:593" href="#fn:593">593</a> The guiding <a href="/facts/Motif_(visual_arts)/uMl6Inge">motif</a> is its cosmic symbolism.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:594" href="#fn:594">594</a>
In addition to historic gates, palaces, and mosques, the rapid growth of cities such as Tehran has brought a wave of construction. Iran ranks 7th among <a href="/facts/UNESCO/QSbkRv3o">UNESCO</a>'s list of countries with the most archaeological ruins and attractions from antiquity.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:595" href="#fn:595">595</a>

<h3>World Heritage Sites</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Iran/CDKwvEjL">List of World Heritage Sites in Iran</a> and <a href="/facts/Iran_National_Heritage_List/fKu5l5DK">Iran National Heritage List</a>
Iran's rich <a href="/facts/Culture_of_Iran/3nU0YMQH">culture</a> and history is reflected by its 27 <a href="/facts/World_Heritage_Site/6AbWWKV4">World Heritage Sites</a>, ranking 1st in the Middle East, and 10th in the world. These include <a href="/facts/Persepolis/TmMBrPhX">Persepolis</a>, <a href="/facts/Naqsh-e_Jahan_Square/wWwrjpx2">Naghsh-e Jahan Square</a>, <a href="/facts/Chogha_Zanbil/z3f4zp58">Chogha Zanbil</a>, <a href="/facts/Pasargadae/YFIushrx">Pasargadae</a>, <a href="/facts/Golestan_Palace/pYJrjbJG">Golestan Palace</a>, <a href="/facts/Arg-e_Bam/f1AbjNTA">Arg-e Bam</a>, <a href="/facts/Behistun_Inscription/m5Pu9luK">Behistun Inscription</a>, <a href="/facts/Shahr-e_Sukhteh/pVd85ayP">Shahr-e Sukhteh</a>, <a href="/facts/Susa/9zlRMpKX">Susa</a>, <a href="/facts/Takht-e_Soleym%25C4%2581n/1W3mq7Dk">Takht-e Soleyman</a>, <a href="/facts/Hyrcanian_forests/W6FelmsK">Hyrcanian forests</a>, the city of <a href="/facts/Yazd/6Skk2ec8">Yazd</a> and more. Iran has 24 <a href="/facts/Intangible_cultural_heritage/3bXsRUoc">Intangible Cultural Heritage</a>, or Human treasures, which ranks 5th worldwide.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:596" href="#fn:596">596</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:597" href="#fn:597">597</a>

<h3>Weaving</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Persian_carpet/dCNUwSyR">Persian carpet</a>, <a href="/facts/Tabriz_rug/d7cxUHYu">Tabriz rug</a>, and <a href="/facts/Ardabil_Carpet/eAwmWxyL">Ardabil Carpet</a>

Iran's carpet-weaving has its origins in the <a href="/facts/Bronze_Age/c09qWcTt">Bronze Age</a> and is one of the most distinguished manifestations of Iranian art. Carpet weaving is an essential part of <a href="/facts/Persian_culture/3nU0YMQH">Persian culture</a> and <a href="/facts/Iranian_art/BM6Foe9y">Iranian art</a>. Persian rugs and carpets were woven in parallel by nomadic tribes in village and town workshops, and by <a href="/facts/Royal_court/zjbwYtod">royal court</a> manufactories. As such, they represent simultaneous lines of tradition, and reflect the history of Iran, Persian culture, and its various peoples. Although the term "Persian carpet" most often refers to pile-woven textiles, flat-woven carpets and rugs like <a href="/facts/Kilim/0mUaBd48">Kilim</a>, <a href="/facts/Soumak_rug/3agMg12q">Soumak</a>, and embroidered tissues like <a href="/facts/Suzani_(textile)/oWuenoo1">Suzani</a> are part of the manifold tradition of Persian carpet weaving.
Iran produces three-quarters of the world's handmade carpets, and has 30% of export markets.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:598" href="#fn:598">598</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:599" href="#fn:599">599</a> In 2010, the "traditional skills of carpet weaving" in <a href="/facts/Fars_province/rV5P1YEg">Fars Province</a> and <a href="/facts/Kashan/xAG9HP0g">Kashan</a> were inscribed to the <a href="/facts/UNESCO_Intangible_Cultural_Heritage_Lists/JvtrpV7P">UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage</a> List.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:600" href="#fn:600">600</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:601" href="#fn:601">601</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:602" href="#fn:602">602</a> Within the <a href="/facts/Oriental_rug/lCaFHx4I">Oriental rugs</a> produced by the countries of the "rug belt", the Persian carpet stands out by the variety and elaborateness of its manifold designs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:603" href="#fn:603">603</a>
Carpets woven in towns and regional centres like <a href="/facts/Tabriz_rug/d7cxUHYu">Tabriz</a>, <a href="/facts/Kerman_carpet/DqnpSIab">Kerman</a>, <a href="/facts/Ravar/pKDyHx1Q">Ravar</a>, <a href="/facts/Neyshabour/23aMtNwy">Neyshabour</a>, <a href="/facts/Mashhad/2kYE0xWa">Mashhad</a>, <a href="/facts/Kashan/xAG9HP0g">Kashan</a>, <a href="/facts/Isfahan_rug/FB4GsUQy">Isfahan</a>, <a href="/facts/Nain_rug/8haUbnGF">Nain</a> and <a href="/facts/Qom_rug/5bNtG4Y1">Qom</a> are characterized by their specific weaving techniques and use of high-quality materials, colours and patterns. Hand-woven Persian rugs and carpets have been regarded as objects of high artistic value and prestige, since they were mentioned by <a href="/facts/Ancient_Greek/LIK7NlUh">ancient Greek</a> writers.

<h3>Literature</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Literature_in_Iran/sIVFKImY">Literature in Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Iranian_literature/DVap4tKC">Iranian literature</a>, and <a href="/facts/Persian_literature/5lKzoLfm">Persian literature</a>

Iran's oldest <a href="/facts/Literature/CmUDxokU">literary</a> tradition is that of <a href="/facts/Avestan/0b7tvGQs">Avestan</a>, the <a href="/facts/Iranian_languages/JaJyqM4t">Old Iranian</a> <a href="/facts/Sacred_language/557K2NXD">sacred language</a> of the <a href="/facts/Avesta/FrU15H4a">Avesta</a>, which consists of the legendary and religious texts of <a href="/facts/Zoroastrianism/rM0QUMtg">Zoroastrianism</a> and the <a href="/facts/Ancient_Iranian_religion/NqJ10Dg5">ancient Iranian religion</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:604" href="#fn:604">604</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:605" href="#fn:605">605</a> The Persian language was used and developed through <a href="/facts/Persianate_society/GX2C91Cm">Persianate societies</a> in <a href="/facts/Anatolia/vMkrLrPr">Asia Minor</a>, <a href="/facts/Central_Asia/rB8k0CyT">Central Asia</a>, and <a href="/facts/South_Asia/7gTqe3hY">South Asia</a>, leaving extensive influences on <a href="/facts/Ottoman_poetry/Yy9aYgMu">Ottoman</a> and <a href="/facts/Persian_language_in_the_Indian_subcontinent/Ab4CBrkz">Mughal literatures</a>, among others. Iran has several famous medieval poets, notably <a href="/facts/Rumi/GmDR4NXX">Rumi</a>, <a href="/facts/Ferdowsi/5b1He35B">Ferdowsi</a>, <a href="/facts/Hafez/NptIMuTf">Hafez</a>, <a href="/facts/Saadi_Shirazi/760yXlru">Saadi Shirazi</a>, <a href="/facts/Omar_Khayyam/M9ARtmAe">Omar Khayyam</a>, and <a href="/facts/Nizami_Ganjavi/bMJJm2NC">Nizami Ganjavi</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:606" href="#fn:606">606</a>
Described as one of the great literatures of humanity,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:607" href="#fn:607">607</a> including <a href="/facts/Goethe/k5hW4Tw5">Goethe</a>'s assessment of it as one of the four main bodies of world literature,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:608" href="#fn:608">608</a> Persian literature has its roots in surviving works of <a href="/facts/Middle_Persian/gDkd45qF">Middle Persian</a> and <a href="/facts/Old_Persian/gxx47Ul7">Old Persian</a>, the latter of which dates back as far as 522 BCE, the date of the earliest surviving <a href="/facts/Achaemenid/avlzWxF0">Achaemenid</a> inscription, the <a href="/facts/Behistun_Inscription/m5Pu9luK">Behistun Inscription</a>. The bulk of surviving Persian literature, however, comes from the times following the <a href="/facts/Muslim_conquest_of_Persia/o3y3Wxhk">Muslim conquest</a> in c. 650 CE. After the <a href="/facts/Abbasid/mPeLAbXt">Abbasids</a> came to power (750 CE), the Iranians became the scribes and bureaucrats of the <a href="/facts/Caliphate/qQ6hCspe">Islamic Caliphate</a> and, increasingly, also its writers and poets. The New Persian language literature arose and flourished in <a href="/facts/Greater_Khorasan/YjgsyBbe">Khorasan</a> and <a href="/facts/Transoxiana/6eCqls7K">Transoxiana</a> because of political reasons, early Iranian dynasties of post-Islamic Iran such as the <a href="/facts/Tahirids/K5dAYlYB">Tahirids</a> and <a href="/facts/Samanids/ItCV6Q18">Samanids</a> being based in <a href="/facts/Khorasan_province/ph9dVs65">Khorasan</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:609" href="#fn:609">609</a>

<h3>Philosophy</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Ancient_philosophy/73cd664F">Ancient philosophy § Ancient Iranian philosophy</a>, and <a href="/facts/Iranian_philosophy/QFt4nARX">Iranian philosophy</a>

Iranian philosophy can be traced back as far as <a href="/facts/Iranian_languages/JaJyqM4t">Old Iranian</a> philosophical traditions and thoughts which originated in ancient <a href="/facts/Indo-Iranians/gf5hW6No">Indo-Iranian</a> roots and were influenced by <a href="/facts/Zarathustra/o4RAWuMX">Zarathustra</a>'s teachings. Throughout Iranian history and due to remarkable political and social changes such as <a href="/facts/Rashidun_conquest_of_the_Sassanian_Empire/o3y3Wxhk">the Arab</a> and <a href="/facts/Mongol_invasion_of_Central_Asia/tDSoM5g4">Mongol invasions</a>, a wide spectrum of schools of thoughts showed a variety of views on philosophical questions, extending from Old Iranian and mainly <a href="/facts/Zoroastrianism/rM0QUMtg">Zoroastrianism</a>-related traditions, to schools appearing in the late pre-Islamic era such as <a href="/facts/Manichaeism/fUWQUj6q">Manichaeism</a> and <a href="/facts/Mazdakism/2vAuKjPb">Mazdakism</a> as well as post-Islamic schools.
The <a href="/facts/Cyrus_Cylinder/4p8PftTM">Cyrus Cylinder</a> is seen as a reflection of the questions and thoughts expressed by <a href="/facts/Zoroaster/o4RAWuMX">Zoroaster</a> and developed in Zoroastrian schools of the Achaemenid era.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:610" href="#fn:610">610</a> Post-Islam Iranian philosophy is characterised by different interactions with the <a href="/facts/Ancient_philosophy/73cd664F">Old Iranian philosophy</a>, the <a href="/facts/Greek_philosophy/LWEkp8JX">Greek philosophy</a> and with the development of <a href="/facts/Islamic_philosophy/QSzAKr2j">Islamic philosophy</a>. The <a href="/facts/Illumination_School/3AsaQJXW">Illumination School</a> and the <a href="/facts/Transcendent_Philosophy/8tVJbFPx">Transcendent Philosophy</a> are regarded as two of the main philosophical traditions of that era in Iran. Contemporary Iranian philosophy has been limited in its scope by <a href="/facts/Political_repression_in_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/JTXPMDVd">intellectual repression</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:611" href="#fn:611">611</a>

<h3>Mythology and folklore</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Persian_mythology/7jdnHA1e">Persian mythology</a> and <a href="/facts/Iranian_folklore/XfjjDzu9">Iranian folklore</a>

<a href="/facts/Persian_mythology/7jdnHA1e">Iranian mythology</a> consists of ancient <a href="/facts/Iranian_folklore/XfjjDzu9">Iranian folklore</a> and stories of extraordinary beings reflecting on <a href="/facts/Good_and_evil/nPIx3ruo">good and evil</a> (<a href="/facts/Ahura_Mazda/Ss71bwbb">Ahura Mazda</a> and <a href="/facts/Ahriman/7yN1ehDw">Ahriman</a>), actions of the gods, and the exploits of heroes and creatures. The tenth-century Persian poet, <a href="/facts/Ferdowsi/5b1He35B">Ferdowsi</a>, is the author of the <a href="/facts/National_epic/oXswKDzk">national epic</a> known as the <a href="/facts/Shahnameh/34GaVlKn">Shahnameh</a> ("Book of Kings"), which is for the most part based on Xwadāynāmag, a <a href="/facts/Middle_Persian/gDkd45qF">Middle Persian</a> compilation of the history of Iranian kings and heroes,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:612" href="#fn:612">612</a> as well as the stories and characters of the <a href="/facts/Zoroastrianism/rM0QUMtg">Zoroastrian</a> tradition, from the texts of the <a href="/facts/Avesta/FrU15H4a">Avesta</a>, the <a href="/facts/Denkard/fNMoQ5af">Denkard</a>, the <a href="/facts/Vendidad/1TkcS9G0">Vendidad</a> and the <a href="/facts/Bundahishn/IUIKjMJI">Bundahishn</a>. Modern scholars study the myths to shed light on the religious and political institutions of not only Iran but of the <a href="/facts/Greater_Iran/tWa3u3Uv">Greater Iran</a>, which includes regions of <a href="/facts/West_Asia/xXM15vIz">West Asia</a>, <a href="/facts/Central_Asia/rB8k0CyT">Central Asia</a>, <a href="/facts/South_Asia/7gTqe3hY">South Asia</a>, and <a href="/facts/Transcaucasia/MQaTkhRJ">Transcaucasia</a> where the <a href="/facts/Culture_of_Iran/3nU0YMQH">culture of Iran</a> has had significant influence.
<a href="/facts/Storytelling/jKUsq4CW">Storytelling</a> has a significant presence in Iranian folklore and culture.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:613" href="#fn:613">613</a> In classical Iran, minstrels performed for their audiences at royal courts and in public theatres.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:614" href="#fn:614">614</a> A minstrel was referred to by the <a href="/facts/Parthian_Empire/2Yxcllsk">Parthians</a> as <a href="/facts/Gusans/s276b48v">gōsān</a>, and by the <a href="/facts/Sasanian_Empire/JvbRevkA">Sasanians</a> as huniyāgar.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:615" href="#fn:615">615</a> Since the <a href="/facts/Safavid_Iran/WPHAaz8e">Safavid Empire</a>, storytellers and poetry readers appeared at coffeehouses.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:616" href="#fn:616">616</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:617" href="#fn:617">617</a> After the <a href="/facts/Iranian_Revolution/frTYhJ0F">Iranian Revolution</a>, it took until 1985 to found the <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Cultural_Heritage%2c_Tourism_and_Handicrafts/p63MJQ01">MCHTH</a> (Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:618" href="#fn:618">618</a> a now heavily centralised organisation, supervising all kinds of cultural activities. It held the first scientific meeting on anthropology and folklore in 1990.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:619" href="#fn:619">619</a>

<h3>Museums</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/List_of_museums_in_Iran/dd1YAw8A">List of museums in Iran</a>

The <a href="/facts/National_Museum_of_Iran/U8U8mmC6">National Museum of Iran</a> in <a href="/facts/Tehran/S8dmdwyG">Tehran</a> is the country's most important cultural institution. As the first and biggest museum in Iran, the institution includes the <a href="/facts/Museum_of_Ancient_Iran/XSbstP3D">Museum of Ancient Iran</a> and the <a href="/facts/Museum_of_the_Islamic_Era/ofz1mELV">Museum of the Islamic Era</a>. The National Museum is the world's most important museum in terms of preservation, display and research of archaeological collections of Iran,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:620" href="#fn:620">620</a> and ranks as one of the few most prestigious museums globally in terms of volume, diversity and quality of its monuments.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:621" href="#fn:621">621</a>
There are many other popular museums across the country such as the <a href="/facts/Golestan_Palace/pYJrjbJG">Golestan Palace</a> (<a href="/facts/World_Heritage_Site/6AbWWKV4">World Heritage Site</a>), <a href="/facts/Treasury_of_National_Jewels/b3PVqmEo">The Treasury of National Jewels</a>, <a href="/facts/Reza_Abbasi_Museum/3SQly16K">Reza Abbasi Museum</a>, <a href="/facts/Tehran_Museum_of_Contemporary_Art/Czt0WILe">Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art</a>, <a href="/facts/Sa%2527dabad_Complex/wXvHy9Y3">Sa'dabad Complex</a>, <a href="/facts/Carpet_Museum_of_Iran/zSkLK99l">The Carpet Museum</a>, <a href="/facts/Abgineh_Museum_of_Tehran/Jf7TBsmt">Abgineh Museum</a>, <a href="/facts/Pars_Museum/8Sw0YDhF">Pars Museum</a>, <a href="/facts/Azerbaijan_Museum/UNIPlfh7">Azerbaijan Museum</a>, Hegmataneh Museum, Susa Museum and more. Around 25 million people visited the museums in 2019.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:622" href="#fn:622">622</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:623" href="#fn:623">623</a>

<h3>Music and dance</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Music_of_Iran/xJRRAIGf">Music of Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Iranian_dance/00Lqj6Tg">Iranian dance</a>, and <a href="/facts/Classical_Persian_dance/yGjmnUFM">Classical Persian dance</a>

Iran is the apparent birthplace of the earliest complex instruments, dating to the third millennium BC.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:624" href="#fn:624">624</a> The use of <a href="/facts/Angular_harp/Al46uJf8">angular harps</a> have been documented at Madaktu and <a href="/facts/Kul-e_Farah/hLgwdwgm">Kul-e Farah</a>, with the largest collection of <a href="/facts/Elam/qzj9ATAt">Elamite</a> instruments documented at Kul-e Farah. <a href="/facts/Xenophon/d3uAqxEu">Xenophon</a>'s <a href="/facts/Cyropaedia/Mcg3YHIt">Cyropaedia</a> mentions singing women at the court of the <a href="/facts/Achaemenid_Empire/avlzWxF0">Achaemenid Empire</a>. Under the <a href="/facts/Parthian_Empire/2Yxcllsk">Parthian Empire</a>, the <a href="/facts/Gusans/s276b48v">gōsān</a> (<a href="/facts/Parthian_language/ky9xW3Vk">Parthian</a> for 'minstrel') had a prominent role.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:625" href="#fn:625">625</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:626" href="#fn:626">626</a>
The history of <a href="/facts/Sasanian_music/8wdHIku7">Sasanian music</a> is better documented than earlier periods and is especially more evident in Avestan texts.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:627" href="#fn:627">627</a> By the time of <a href="/facts/Khosrow_II/9RgxJlVf">Khosrow II</a>, the Sasanian royal court hosted prominent musicians, namely Azad, <a href="/facts/Bamshad/jTyWIbcD">Bamshad</a>, <a href="/facts/Barbad/2MV6LY4v">Barbad</a>, <a href="/facts/Nagisa_(harpist)/K7khFUpc">Nagisa</a>, Ramtin, and <a href="/facts/Sarkash/zwuWhq2H">Sarkash</a>. Iranian traditional musical instruments include string instruments such as <a href="/facts/Chang_(instrument)/U54Krjkq">chang</a> (<a href="/facts/Harp/FhRqeCDf">harp</a>), <a href="/facts/Qanun_(instrument)/KoEk5kp9">qanun</a>, <a href="/facts/Santur/cWcq8pxR">santur</a>, <a href="/facts/Rud/WXz2c1Xg">rud</a> (<a href="/facts/Oud/JlLPe2Cq">oud</a>, <a href="/facts/Barbat_(lute)/3zrrcIND">barbat</a>), <a href="/facts/Tar_(string_instrument)/IkzBlvEu">tar</a>, <a href="/facts/Dutar/4vNRPpqf">dotar</a>, <a href="/facts/Setar/c5I5MBY6">setar</a>, <a href="/facts/Tanbur/e9Jrx27M">tanbur</a>, and <a href="/facts/Kamancheh/HYzSYLGh">kamanche</a>, wind instruments such as <a href="/facts/Sorna/JN8Cr5A8">sorna</a> (<a href="/facts/Zurna/fjLUFzxb">zurna</a>, <a href="/facts/Karnay/5z9jW0eH">karna</a>) and <a href="/facts/Ney/p8exE5tJ">ney</a>, and percussion instruments such as <a href="/facts/Tonbak/XgpIvDUT">tompak</a>, <a href="/facts/Kus/gPqPmeqH">kus</a>, <a href="/facts/Daf/FW9DR9fa">daf</a> (<a href="/facts/Dayereh/KYdGEWnm">dayere</a>), and <a href="/facts/Naqareh/w0QAzWVY">naqare</a>.
Iran's first symphony orchestra, the <a href="/facts/Tehran_Symphony_Orchestra/MFUL9GXr">Tehran Symphony Orchestra</a>, was founded in 1933. By the late 1940s, <a href="/facts/Ruhollah_Khaleqi/PUj1xu20">Ruhollah Khaleqi</a> founded the country's first national music society and established the School of National Music in 1949.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:628" href="#fn:628">628</a> <a href="/facts/Iranian_pop_music/EHVlk0ug">Iranian pop music</a> has its origins in the Qajar era.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:629" href="#fn:629">629</a> It was significantly developed since the 1950s, using indigenous instruments and forms accompanied by <a href="/facts/Electric_guitar/yNL6qSw4">electric guitar</a> and other imported characteristics. <a href="/facts/Iranian_rock/fWY39ggs">Iranian rock</a> emerged in the 1960s and <a href="/facts/Iranian_hip_hop/qpwe03PA">hip hop</a> in the 2000s.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:630" href="#fn:630">630</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:631" href="#fn:631">631</a>
Iran has known dance in the forms of music, play, drama or religious rituals since at least the 6th millennium BC. Artifacts with pictures of dancers were found in archaeological prehistoric sites.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:632" href="#fn:632">632</a> Genres of dance vary depending on the area, culture, and language of the local people, and can range from sophisticated reconstructions of refined court dances to energetic <a href="/facts/Folk_dance/Cm3n3yTj">folk dances</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:633" href="#fn:633">633</a> Each group, region, and historical epoch has specific dance styles associated with it. The earliest researched dance from historic Iran is a dance worshipping Mithra. Ancient Persian dance was significantly researched by Greek historian <a href="/facts/Herodotus/hTgRSAnv">Herodotus</a>. Iran was occupied by foreign powers, causing a slow disappearance of heritage dance traditions.
The Qajar period had an important influence on Persian dance. In this period, a style of dance began to be called "<a href="/facts/Classical_Persian_dance/yGjmnUFM">classical Persian dance</a>". Dancers performed artistic dances in court for entertainment purposes such as coronations, marriage celebrations, and <a href="/facts/Nowruz/5Gounfnm">Norouz</a> celebrations. In the 20th century, the music came to be orchestrated and dance movement and costuming gained a modernistic orientation to the West.

<h3>Fashion and clothing</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Fashion_in_Iran/0Y6jzwEP">Fashion in Iran</a>
The exact date of the emergence of <a href="/facts/Weaving/dESwh5UP">weaving</a> in Iran is not yet known, but it is likely to coincide with the emergence of <a href="/facts/Civilization/xvGpjDPj">civilisation</a>. <a href="/facts/Ferdowsi/5b1He35B">Ferdowsi</a> and many historians have considered <a href="/facts/Keyumars/EJFhckw1">Keyumars</a> to be first to use <a href="/facts/Animal_skin/4havlLzG">animals' skin</a> and hair as clothing, while others propose <a href="/facts/Hushang/klwRLqvL">Hushang</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:634" href="#fn:634">634</a> Ferdowsi considers <a href="/facts/Tahmuras/0e6c0lLv">Tahmuras</a> to be a kind of <a href="/facts/Textile/PJrVeM5S">textile</a> initiator in Iran. The clothing of ancient Iran took an advanced form, and the fabric and colour of clothing became very important. Depending on the social status, eminence, climate of the region and the season, <a href="/facts/Persian_clothing/xo0BBdIU">Persian clothing</a> during the Achaemenian period took various forms. This clothing, in addition to being functional, had an aesthetic role.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:635" href="#fn:635">635</a>

<h3>Cinema, animation and theatre</h3>
Main articles: <a href="/facts/Cinema_of_Iran/l0zXtdgx">Cinema of Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Iranian_animation/gJuh51x1">Iranian animation</a>, and <a href="/facts/Persian_theatre/EsGVnHrE">Persian theatre</a>

A third-millennium BC earthen goblet discovered at the <a href="/facts/Shahr-e_Sukhteh/pVd85ayP">Burnt City</a> in southeast Iran depicts what could be the world's oldest example of animation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:636" href="#fn:636">636</a> The earliest attested Iranian examples of visual representations, however, are traced back to the bas-reliefs of Persepolis, the ritual centre of the <a href="/facts/Achaemenid_Empire/avlzWxF0">Achaemenid Empire</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:637" href="#fn:637">637</a>
The first Iranian filmmaker was probably <a href="/facts/Mirza_Ebrahim_Khan_Akkas_Bashi/AVIy0RYm">Mirza Ebrahim (Akkas Bashi)</a>, the court photographer of <a href="/facts/Mozaffar_ad-Din_Shah_Qajar/l3RYoh8o">Mozaffar-ed-Din</a> of the <a href="/facts/Qajar_dynasty/sz5ulL0k">Qajar Empire</a>. Mirza Ebrahim obtained a camera and filmed the Qajar ruler's visit to Europe. In 1904, <a href="/facts/Mirza_Ebrahim_Khan_Sahhafbashi/FxQAkyaL">Mirza Ebrahim (Sahhaf Bashi)</a> opened the first public cinema in Tehran.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:638" href="#fn:638">638</a> The first Iranian feature film, <a href="/facts/Abi_and_Rabi/avBMEIKe">Abi and Rabi</a>, was a silent comedy directed by <a href="/facts/Ovanes_Ohanian/uLhbdVmG">Ovanes Ohanian</a> in 1930. The first sound one, <a href="/facts/Lor_Girl/Tv2crUe4">Lor Girl</a>, was produced by <a href="/facts/Ardeshir_Irani/WJUbwF1E">Ardeshir Irani</a> and <a href="/facts/Abdolhossein_Sepanta/RrVK6ePW">Abd-ol-Hosein Sepanta</a> in 1932. Iran's animation industry began by the 1950s and was followed by the establishment of the influential <a href="/facts/Institute_for_the_Intellectual_Development_of_Children_and_Young_Adults/k7Ue6pk7">Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults</a> in 1965.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:639" href="#fn:639">639</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:640" href="#fn:640">640</a>
With the screening of the films <a href="/facts/Qeysar_(film)/bayJhA4L">Qeysar</a> and <a href="/facts/The_Cow_(1969_film)/XxqPP4nW">The Cow</a>, directed by <a href="/facts/Masoud_Kimiai/2PJgJ1LD">Masoud Kimiai</a> and <a href="/facts/Dariush_Mehrjui/UlLDbSj5">Dariush Mehrjui</a> respectively in 1969, alternative films set out to establish their status in the film industry and <a href="/facts/Bahram_Beyzai/t0r2sD1c">Bahram Beyzai</a>'s <a href="/facts/Downpour_(film)/EVzQbVda">Downpour</a> and <a href="/facts/Nasser_Taghvai/3YBD0jUT">Nasser Taghvai</a>'s Tranquility in the Presence of Others followed. Attempts to organise a film festival, which had begun in 1954 within the Golrizan Festival, resulted in the festival of Sepas in 1969. It also resulted in the formation of Tehran's World Film Festival in 1973.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:641" href="#fn:641">641</a>

Following the <a href="/facts/Iranian_Cultural_Revolution/Gwjvzfok">Cultural Revolution</a>, a new age emerged in Iranian cinema, starting with Long Live! by <a href="/facts/Khosrow_Sinai/WVUfyhHs">Khosrow Sinai</a> and followed by other directors, such as <a href="/facts/Abbas_Kiarostami/y15L0T0g">Abbas Kiarostami</a> and <a href="/facts/Jafar_Panahi/JyoqcgNQ">Jafar Panahi</a>. Kiarostami, an acclaimed director, planted Iran firmly on the map of world cinema when he won the <a href="/facts/Palme_d%2527Or/R57obDSr">Palme d'Or</a> for <a href="/facts/Taste_of_Cherry/r18nJdHR">Taste of Cherry</a> in 1997.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:642" href="#fn:642">642</a> The presence of Iranian films in prestigious international festivals, such as <a href="/facts/Cannes_Film_Festival/4FU7Kbfc">Cannes</a>, <a href="/facts/Venice_Film_Festival/ItsBLlQQ">Venice</a> and <a href="/facts/Berlin_International_Film_Festival/qxdFLoc3">Berlin</a>, attracted attention to Iranian films.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:643" href="#fn:643">643</a> In 2006, 6 films represented Iranian cinema at Berlin; critics considered this a remarkable event in Iranian cinema.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:644" href="#fn:644">644</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:645" href="#fn:645">645</a> <a href="/facts/Asghar_Farhadi/x4ldQE54">Asghar Farhadi</a>, an Iranian director, has received a <a href="/facts/Golden_Globe_Award/1v50C2Tb">Golden Globe Award</a> and two <a href="/facts/Academy_Award/CwTxYuNQ">Academy Awards</a>, representing Iran for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012 and 2017, with <a href="/facts/A_Separation/7Ps0uC3G">A Separation</a> and <a href="/facts/The_Salesman_(2016_film)/5JYSFr0e">The Salesman</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:646" href="#fn:646">646</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:647" href="#fn:647">647</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:648" href="#fn:648">648</a> In 2020, <a href="/facts/Ashkan_Rahgozar/vpogyMLK">Ashkan Rahgozar</a>'s "<a href="/facts/The_Last_Fiction/lEPuRFdG">The Last Fiction</a>" became the first representative of Iranian animated cinema in the competition section, in <a href="/facts/Academy_Award_for_Best_Animated_Feature/cCHt3MjJ">Best Animated Feature</a> and <a href="/facts/Academy_Award_for_Best_Picture/C6komTsX">Best Picture</a> categories at the <a href="/facts/Academy_Awards/CwTxYuNQ">Academy Awards</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:649" href="#fn:649">649</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:650" href="#fn:650">650</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:651" href="#fn:651">651</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:652" href="#fn:652">652</a>
The oldest Iranian initiation of theatre can be traced to ancient epic ceremonial theatres such as Sug-e Siāvuڑ ("mourning of <a href="/facts/Siy%25C3%25A2vash/GsVoJIPs">Siāvaڑ</a>"), as well as dances and theatre narrations of Iranian mythological tales reported by <a href="/facts/Herodotus/hTgRSAnv">Herodotus</a> and <a href="/facts/Xenophon/d3uAqxEu">Xenophon</a>. Iran's traditional theatrical genres include Baqqāl-bāzi ("grocer play", a form of slapstick comedy), Ruhowzi (or Taxt-howzi, comedy performed over a courtyard pool covered with boards), Siāh-bāzi (the central comedian appears in blackface), Sāye-bāzi (<a href="/facts/Shadow_play/TgVURARw">shadow play</a>), Xeyme-ڑab-bāzi (<a href="/facts/Marionette/MwbrF0dI">marionette</a>), and Arusak-bāzi (<a href="/facts/Puppetry/eIC58sLA">puppetry</a>), and <a href="/facts/Ta%2527zieh/TgJbm2bx">Ta'zie</a> (religious tragedy plays).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:653" href="#fn:653">653</a>
The <a href="/facts/Roudaki_Hall/MpyraU5B">Roudaki Hall</a> is home to the <a href="/facts/Tehran_Symphony_Orchestra/MFUL9GXr">Tehran Symphony Orchestra</a>, the Tehran Opera Orchestra, and the <a href="/facts/Iranian_National_Ballet_Company/fJugugPE">Iranian National Ballet Company</a>, and was officially renamed <a href="/facts/Vahdat_Hall/MpyraU5B">Vahdat Hall</a> after the Revolution.

<h3>Media</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Media_of_Iran/QyxzIVmt">Media of Iran</a>

Iran's largest media corporation is the state-owned <a href="/facts/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Broadcasting/Pkrz9Qfv">IRIB</a>. The <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Culture_and_Islamic_Guidance/JyA8z7az">Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance</a> is responsible for the <a href="/facts/Cultural_policy/sWNVFAAG">cultural policy</a>, including activities regarding communications and information.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:654" href="#fn:654">654</a>
Most of the <a href="/facts/List_of_newspapers_in_Iran/kk4soFEF">newspapers published in Iran</a> are in Persian, the country's official and national language. The country's most widely circulated periodicals are based in Tehran, among which are <a href="/facts/Etemad/9R0VyPad">Etemad</a>, <a href="/facts/Ettela%2527at/3rPLHrFz">Ettela'at</a>, <a href="/facts/Kayhan/kgIc3thB">Kayhan</a>, <a href="/facts/Hamshahri/1PFtSXRA">Hamshahri</a>, <a href="/facts/Resalat_(newspaper)/yRlRuxg7">Resalat</a>, and <a href="/facts/Shargh/m1ae3Mzt">Shargh</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:655" href="#fn:655">655</a> <a href="/facts/Tehran_Times/sSfmH9CE">Tehran Times</a>, <a href="/facts/Iran_(newspaper)/dwtHFmTW">Iran Daily</a>, and <a href="/facts/Financial_Tribune/eQCklFdk">Financial Tribune</a> are among the famous English-language newspapers based in Iran.
Iran ranks 17th among <a href="/facts/List_of_countries_by_number_of_Internet_users/VqDQ4a37">countries by number of Internet users</a>. <a href="/facts/Google_Search/LFnCogKt">Google Search</a> is Iran's most widely used search engine and <a href="/facts/Instagram/33s91jnV">Instagram</a> is the most popular online <a href="/facts/Social_networking_service/qFIh6VT1">social networking service</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:656" href="#fn:656">656</a> Direct access to many worldwide mainstream websites has been blocked in Iran, including <a href="/facts/Facebook/0IhXFR6u">Facebook</a>, which has been blocked since 2009. About 90% of Iran's <a href="/facts/E-commerce/7vxeea0Y">e-commerce</a> takes place on the Iranian online store <a href="/facts/Digikala/P1XXsXsg">Digikala</a>, which has around 750,000 visitors per day and is the most visited online store in the Middle East.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:657" href="#fn:657">657</a>

<h3>Cuisine</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Iranian_cuisine/SlEpbT4z">Iranian cuisine</a>

Iranian main dishes include varieties of <a href="/facts/Kebab/JYE6lamW">kebab</a>, <a href="/facts/Pilaf/JwIm7Q5V">pilaf</a>, <a href="/facts/Stew/egswh6LU">stew</a> (<a href="/facts/Khoresh/rpYLDlx3">khoresh</a>), <a href="/facts/Soup/BxjPaEp0">soup</a> and <a href="/facts/%25C4%2580sh/zG3qeoIq">āsh</a>, and <a href="/facts/Omelette/4PFfTeV4">omelette</a>. Lunch and dinner meals are commonly accompanied by side dishes such as plain <a href="/facts/Yogurt/JoQjepa7">yogurt</a> or <a href="/facts/Tzatziki/PDUDqxCz">mast-o-khiar</a>, <a href="/facts/Sabzi_khordan/UCsEEyEN">sabzi</a>, <a href="/facts/Shirazi_salad/dhTSQqdB">salad Shirazi</a>, and <a href="/facts/Tursu/WoYo0u6f">torshi</a>, and might follow dishes such as <a href="/facts/Borani/lESDCFHJ">borani</a>, <a href="/facts/Mirza_Ghassemi/Wrkezwob">Mirza Qasemi</a>, or <a href="/facts/Kashk_e_bademjan/xuY2BrDq">kashk e bademjan</a>. In Iranian culture, tea is widely consumed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:658" href="#fn:658">658</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:659" href="#fn:659">659</a> Iran is the world's seventh major tea producer.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:660" href="#fn:660">660</a> One of Iran's most popular desserts is the <a href="/facts/Faloodeh/oA1oW04K">falude</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:661" href="#fn:661">661</a> There is also the popular saffron ice cream, known as <a href="/facts/Bastani_Sonnati/33JM5oCF">Bastani Sonnati</a> ("traditional ice cream"),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:662" href="#fn:662">662</a> which is sometimes accompanied with <a href="/facts/Carrot_juice/vtKEjG5n">carrot juice</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:663" href="#fn:663">663</a> Iran is also famous for its <a href="/facts/Caviar/lav8tqkr">caviar</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:664" href="#fn:664">664</a>
Typical Iranian main dishes are combinations of <a href="/facts/Rice/wvL1hBCz">rice</a> with <a href="/facts/Meat/DUHTTM1d">meat</a>, <a href="/facts/Vegetable/j3AlDG64">vegetables</a> and <a href="/facts/Nut_(fruit)/HvHpVkod">nuts</a>. <a href="/facts/List_of_culinary_herbs_and_spices/JJdkRzEJ">Herbs</a> are frequently used, along with fruits such as <a href="/facts/Plum/w05NWXGc">plums</a>, <a href="/facts/Pomegranate/m9aqRKUe">pomegranates</a>, <a href="/facts/Quince/Hq0eoUp0">quince</a>, <a href="/facts/Prune/KzFUWYUw">prunes</a>, <a href="/facts/Apricot/xCVFYtMK">apricots</a> and <a href="/facts/Raisin/b7brgfDT">raisins</a>. Characteristic Iranian spices and flavourings such as <a href="/facts/Saffron/wjB3p2ld">saffron</a>, <a href="/facts/Cardamom/P6c7X8fk">cardamom</a>, and <a href="/facts/Dried_lime/Q5lTw216">dried lime</a> and other sources of sour flavoring, <a href="/facts/Cinnamon/Aag9baI6">cinnamon</a>, <a href="/facts/Turmeric/AYaT2xUs">turmeric</a> and <a href="/facts/Parsley/q6xqWokU">parsley</a> are mixed and used in various dishes.

<h3>Sports</h3>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Sport_in_Iran/Esp0IJfg">Sport in Iran</a>

Iran is the birthplace of <a href="/facts/Polo/tm0j516j">polo</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:665" href="#fn:665">665</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:666" href="#fn:666">666</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:667" href="#fn:667">667</a> locally known as Chogan, with its earliest records attributed to the ancient <a href="/facts/Medes/T0ym7KJ2">Medes</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:668" href="#fn:668">668</a> <a href="/facts/Freestyle_wrestling/jUVWhsM9">Freestyle wrestling</a> is traditionally considered the <a href="/facts/National_sport/B5lspnWQ">national sport</a>, and <a href="/facts/Iran_national_freestyle_wrestling_athletes/dXx8mEnB">Iran's wrestlers</a> have been world champions many times. Iran's traditional wrestling, called <a href="/facts/Pahlevani_and_zoorkhaneh_rituals/WSUYWISd">koڑti e pahlevāni</a> ("heroic wrestling"), is registered on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:669" href="#fn:669">669</a> Iran's <a href="/facts/National_Olympic_Committee_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran/7awHadq5">National Olympic Committee</a> was founded in 1947. Wrestlers and <a href="/facts/Olympic_weightlifting/4EXVWqQX">weightlifters</a> have achieved the country's highest <a href="/facts/Iran_at_the_Olympics/9PpdP4gC">records at the Olympics</a>. In 1974, Iran became the first country in West Asia to host the <a href="/facts/Asian_Games/D2fGSW7k">Asian Games</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:670" href="#fn:670">670</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:671" href="#fn:671">671</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:672" href="#fn:672">672</a>
As a mountainous country, Iran is a venue for <a href="/facts/Skiing/wvzTW0j8">skiing</a>, <a href="/facts/Snowboarding/sub2qDka">snowboarding</a>, <a href="/facts/Hiking/agJbxevo">hiking</a>, <a href="/facts/Rock_climbing/wd5WnGnG">rock climbing</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:673" href="#fn:673">673</a> and <a href="/facts/Mountaineering/K18NzclN">mountain climbing</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:674" href="#fn:674">674</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:675" href="#fn:675">675</a> It is home to ski resorts, the most famous being <a href="/facts/Tochal_Complex/jI9VJCk6">Tochal</a>, <a href="/facts/Dizin/we8H5uEA">Dizin</a>, and <a href="/facts/Shemshak_(ski_resort)/X7BX8fDh">Shemshak</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:676" href="#fn:676">676</a> Dizin is the largest, and authorised by <a href="/facts/International_Ski_and_Snowboard_Federation/mbhhq8Xr">FIS</a> to administer international competitions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:677" href="#fn:677">677</a>
<a href="/facts/Football_in_Iran/oHDMKC3f">Football</a> is the most popular sport, with the <a href="/facts/Iran_national_football_team/n6S20X5X">men's national team</a> having won the <a href="/facts/AFC_Asian_Cup/thbxz8In">Asian Cup</a> three times. The men's team ranks 2nd in Asia and 18th in the <a href="/facts/FIFA_World_Rankings/S58lKvNe">FIFA World Rankings</a> as of April 2025.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:678" href="#fn:678">678</a> The <a href="/facts/Azadi_Stadium/R9z7qW8t">Azadi Stadium</a> in Tehran is the largest association football stadium in West Asia and on a list of top-20 stadiums in the world.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:679" href="#fn:679">679</a> Volleyball is the second most popular sport.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:680" href="#fn:680">680</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:681" href="#fn:681">681</a> Having won the 2011 and 2013 <a href="/facts/Asian_Men%2527s_Volleyball_Championship/r8PhPaxB">Asian Men's Volleyball Championships</a>, the <a href="/facts/Iran_men%2527s_national_volleyball_team/lSY1gHMJ">men's national team</a> is the 2nd strongest in Asia, and 15th in the <a href="/facts/FIVB_World_Rankings/HQetmMEM">FIVB World Rankings</a> as of January 2025. <a href="/facts/Basketball/M5pl4Pzo">Basketball</a> is also popular, with the <a href="/facts/Iran_national_basketball_team/b3dNgKm7">men's national team</a> having won three <a href="/facts/FIBA_Asia_Championship/zvGfso6F">Asian Championships</a> since 2007.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:682" href="#fn:682">682</a>

<h3>Observances</h3>
See also: <a href="/facts/List_of_festivals_in_Iran/VH8eDvfD">List of festivals in Iran</a>

Iran's official <a href="/facts/New_Year/9KAPDxn6">New Year</a> begins with <a href="/facts/Nowruz/5Gounfnm">Nowruz</a>, an ancient Iranian tradition celebrated annually on the <a href="/facts/Equinox/s8kaFsD2">vernal equinox</a> and described as the Persian New Year.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:683" href="#fn:683">683</a> It was registered on the UNESCO's list of <a href="/facts/Masterpieces_of_the_Oral_and_Intangible_Heritage_of_Humanity/qVDsSEn1">Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity</a> in 2009.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:684" href="#fn:684">684</a> On the eve of the last Wednesday of the preceding year, as a prelude to Nowruz, the ancient festival of <a href="/facts/Chaharshanbe_Suri/bHxThwVL">بārڑanbe Suri</a> celebrates <a href="/facts/Atar/Uk2Ugs9E">Ātar</a> ("fire") by performing rituals such as jumping over <a href="/facts/Bonfire/UMnXQYvX">bonfires</a> and lighting <a href="/facts/Fireworks/sPEQcu3h">fireworks</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:685" href="#fn:685">685</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:686" href="#fn:686">686</a>
<a href="/facts/Yald%25C4%2581_Night/BWXpC5m0">Yaldā</a>, another ancient tradition,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:687" href="#fn:687">687</a> commemorates the ancient goddess <a href="/facts/Mithra/zwnJoc33">Mithra</a> and marks the longest night of the year on the eve of the <a href="/facts/Winter_solstice/D18JPu6z">winter solstice</a> (usually on 20 or 21 December),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:688" href="#fn:688">688</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:689" href="#fn:689">689</a> during which families gather to recite poetry and eat fruits.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:690" href="#fn:690">690</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:691" href="#fn:691">691</a> In some regions of <a href="/facts/Mazandaran_Province/oC7f1Td3">Mazanderan</a> and <a href="/facts/Markazi_Province/aLoMkTEU">Markazi</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:692" href="#fn:692">692</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:693" href="#fn:693">693</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:694" href="#fn:694">694</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:695" href="#fn:695">695</a> there is a <a href="/facts/Summer_solstice/r3CoNn3m">midsummer</a> festival, <a href="/facts/Tirgan/cclrrx9f">Tirgān</a>, which is observed on <a href="/facts/Tir_(month)/WMmGNdgF">Tir</a> 13 (2 or 3 July) as a celebration of water.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:696" href="#fn:696">696</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:697" href="#fn:697">697</a>
Islamic annual events such as <a href="/facts/Ramadan/eBpGEkst">Ramezān</a>, <a href="/facts/Eid_al-Fitr/C1brNDJX">Eid e Fetr</a>, and <a href="/facts/Ashura/0P9vAW6t">Ruz e Āڑurā</a> are marked by the country's population, Christian traditions such as <a href="/facts/Christmas/EsuI0Gds">Noel</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:698" href="#fn:698">698</a> <a href="/facts/Lent/DCjMp9Ly">elle ye Ruze</a>, and <a href="/facts/Easter/LYPGCQge">Eid e Pāk</a> are observed by the Christian communities, Jewish traditions such as <a href="/facts/Hanukkah/QylNkVhM">Hanukā</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:699" href="#fn:699">699</a> and <a href="/facts/Passover/klu4sC0g">Eid e Fatir</a> (Pesah)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:700" href="#fn:700">700</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:701" href="#fn:701">701</a> are observed by the Jewish communities, and Zoroastrian traditions such as <a href="/facts/Sadeh/fgGFEM8h">Sade</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:702" href="#fn:702">702</a> and <a href="/facts/Mehregan/HcQYnEFg">Mehrgān</a> are observed by the Zoroastrians.

<h4>Public holidays</h4>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Public_holidays_in_Iran/yXcoKHQX">Public holidays in Iran</a>

With 26, Iran has one of the world's highest number of public holidays.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:703" href="#fn:703">703</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:704" href="#fn:704">704</a> It ranks 1st in the world with the most paid leave days: 52.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:705" href="#fn:705">705</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:706" href="#fn:706">706</a> Iran's <a href="/facts/Civil_calendar/wwfnqngI">official calendar</a> is the <a href="/facts/Solar_Hijri_calendar/1kpt7Rxc">Solar Hejri calendar</a>, beginning at the <a href="/facts/March_equinox/27hlaADj">vernal equinox</a> in the <a href="/facts/Northern_Hemisphere/EFwyqL25">Northern Hemisphere</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:707" href="#fn:707">707</a> Each of the 12 months of the Solar Hejri calendar correspond with a <a href="/facts/Astrological_sign/mUYgvLzW">zodiac sign</a>, and the length of each year is solar.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:708" href="#fn:708">708</a> Alternatively, the <a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Lunar Hejri calendar</a> is used to indicate Islamic events, and the <a href="/facts/Gregorian_calendar/axJfTXV1">Gregorian calendar</a> marks international events.
Legal public holidays based on the Iranian solar calendar include the cultural celebrations of Nowruz (<a href="/facts/Farvardin/dq18u3Vs">Farvardin</a> 1–4; 21–24 March) and Sizdebedar (<a href="/facts/Farvardin/dq18u3Vs">Farvardin</a> 13; 2 April), and the political events of <a href="/facts/Iranian_Islamic_Republic_Day/yFPyaeVz">Islamic Republic Day</a> (<a href="/facts/Farvardin/dq18u3Vs">Farvardin</a> 12; 1 April), the death of <a href="/facts/Ruhollah_Khomeini/y1kgDUoG">Ruhollah Khomeini</a> (<a href="/facts/Khordad/81BJ3VpM">Khordad</a> 14; 4 June), the <a href="/facts/5_June_1963%2c_demonstrations_in_Iran/bXpXneoA">Khordad 15 event</a> (<a href="/facts/Khordad/81BJ3VpM">Khordad</a> 15; 5 June), the anniversary of the <a href="/facts/Iranian_Revolution/frTYhJ0F">Iranian Revolution</a> (<a href="/facts/Bahman/oRoq2U7r">Bahman</a> 22; 10 February), and <a href="/facts/Nationalization_of_the_Iranian_oil_industry/VPyX0A4U">Oil Nationalisation Day</a> (<a href="/facts/Esfand/3cJmLq0B">Esfand</a> 29; 19 March).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:709" href="#fn:709">709</a>
Lunar Islamic public holidays include Tasua (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Muharram</a> 9), Ashura (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Muharram</a> 10), Arba'een (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Safar</a> 20), Muhammad's death (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Safar</a> 28), the death of Ali al-Ridha (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Safar</a> 29 or 30), the birthday of Muhammad (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Rabi-al-Awwal</a> 17), the death of Fatimah (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Jumada-al-Thani</a> 3), the birthday of Ali (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Rajab</a> 13), Muhammad's first revelation (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Rajab</a> 27), the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Sha'ban</a> 15), the death of Ali (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Ramadan</a> 21), Eid al-Fitr (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Shawwal</a> 1–2), the death of Ja'far al-Sadiq (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Shawwal</a> 25), Eid al-Qurban (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Zulhijja</a> 10), and Eid al-Qadir (<a href="/facts/Islamic_calendar/7n4UBAYy">Zulhijja</a> 18).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:710" href="#fn:710">710</a>

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Outline_of_Iran/TRItz9cF">Outline of Iran</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="explanatory-notes">Explanatory notes</h2>

<h2 id="bibliography">Bibliography</h2>
<h3>Encyclopaedia Iranica</h3>

<ul><li>Amanat, Abbas (2002). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/great-britain-iii/">"Great Britain iii. British influence in Persia in the 19th century"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Bosworth, C. Edmund (1986). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/anustigin-garcai-slave-commander">"Anūštigin Ḡarčaʾī"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Bosworth, C. Edmund (2009). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/khwarazmshahs-i">"Khwarazmshahs i. Descendants of the line of Anuštigin"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Bo_Lawergren/gjm83zor">Lawergren, Bo</a> (2009). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/music-history-i-pre-islamic-iran">"Music History i. Pre-Islamic Iran"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a>. <a href="/facts/Encyclop%25C3%25A6dia_Iranica/vpxGm0xG">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Lecoq, P. (2011). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/aparna-c3k">"Aparna"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Gyselen, Ryka (1997). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/economy-iv/">"Economy iv. In the Sasanian Period"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>MacKenzie, David Niel (1998). <a href="http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/eran-eransah">"Ērān, Ērānšahr"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Rudi_Matthee/1VRySFEI">Matthee, Rudolph P.</a> (2008). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/safavids">"Safavid Dynasty"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Perry, J. R. (1984). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/aga-mohammad-khan/">"Āgā Mohammad Khan Qājār"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Perry, J. R. (2000). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/zand-dynasty">"Zand Dynasty"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Savory, Roger; Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (1998). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/esmail-i-safawi#i">"Esmāʿīl I Ṣafawī"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Schmitt, Rüdiger (1987). <a href="http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/aryans">"Aryans"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a>. Encyclopedia Iranica (Online ed.). New York: Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Shahbazi, Alireza Shapour (2004). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/iraj">"Iraj"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a>. Encyclopaedia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Shahbazi, Alireza Shapur (2005). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/sasanian-dynasty/">"Sasanian Dynasty"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Tucker, Ernest (2006a). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/nader-shah">"Nāder Shāh"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li>
<li>Yarshater, Ehsan (2004). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/iran-ii1-pre-islamic-times/">"Iran ii. Iranian History (1) Pre-Islamic Times"</a>. In <a href="/facts/Ehsan_Yarshater/AjH4K6mg">Yarshater, Ehsan</a> (ed.). <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/">Encyclopædia Iranica</a> (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation.</li></ul>

<h3>Books</h3>

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Aeschylus/nRDPzqG6">Aeschylus</a> (2009) [1981]. "Persians". The Complete Aeschylus: Volume II: Persians and Other Plays. Translated by Lembke, Janet; Herington, C. John. Oxford University Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-19-045183-7.</li>
<li>Aghaie, Kamran Scot (2012). "The Afghan Interlude and the Zand and Afshar Dynasties (1722–95)". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-19-973215-9.</li>
<li>Aigle, Denise (2024). Iran Under the Mongols: Ilkhanid Administrators and Persian Notables in Fars. I.B. Tauris. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-7556-4573-2.</li>
<li>Axworthy, Michael (2008). A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind. Basic Books. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-465-09876-7.</li>
<li>Baker, Patricia L. (2005) [2001]. Iran: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-84162-123-4.</li>
<li>Barthold, V. V. (1962). Four Studies on the History of Central Asia: Volume III: Mir Ali-Shir: A Histoty of the Turkman People. Brill.</li>
<li>Blair, Sheila (1992). The Monumental Inscriptions from Early Islamic Iran and Transoxiana. Brill. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 90-04-09367-2.</li>
<li>Brown, Brad (2011). "Ismail, Shah (Safavid) (1487–1524)". In Mikaberidze, Alexander (ed.). <a href="/facts/Conflict_and_Conquest_in_the_Islamic_World/ckDW61Qc">Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia</a>. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-59884-336-1.</li>
<li>Dowling, Timothy C. (2014). Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond. 2 volumes. ABC-CLIO. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-59884-948-6.</li>
<li>El-Azhari, Taef (2019). "The Seljuqs from Syria to Iran: The Age of Khatuns and Atabegs". Queens, Eunuchs and Concubines in Islamic History, 661–1257. Edinburg University Press. pp. 285–348. <a href="/facts/Doi_(identifier)/muM9Etpq">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.3366%2Fedinburgh%2F9781474423182.003.0007">10.3366/edinburgh/9781474423182.003.0007</a>. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-4744-2318-2. <a href="/facts/S2CID_(identifier)/ldJsHa2Y">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:219872073">219872073</a>.</li>
<li>Elling, Rasmus Christian (2013). Minorities in Iran: Nationalism and Ethnicity after Khomeini. Springer. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-137-04780-9.</li>
<li>Eiland, Murray (2004). "West Asia, 300 BC–AD 600". In Onians, John (ed.). Atlas of World Art. Oxford University Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-19-521583-0.</li>
<li>Golden, Peter B. (2011). Central Asia in World History. Oxford University Press.</li>
<li>Dandamayev, Muhammad (2021). "Eastern Europe". A Companion to the Achaemenid Persian Empire: Volume II. Wiley-Blackwell. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-119-07165-5.</li>
<li>Hawting, G. R. (1986). The First Dynasty of Islam: The Umayyad Caliphate, AD 661–750. Croom Helm Ltd.</li>
<li>Hamzeh'ee, M. Reza (1990). The Yaresan: a Sociological, Historical, and Religio-Historical Study of a Kurdish Community. Berlin: K. Schwarz. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 3-922968-83-X. <a href="/facts/OCLC_(identifier)/Yqad8waq">OCLC</a> <a href="https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/23438701">23438701</a>.</li>
<li>Lane, George E. (2012). "The Mongols in Iran". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-19-973215-9.</li>
<li>Katouzian, Homa (2013). Iran: Politics, History and Literature. Routledge. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-415-63689-6.</li>
<li>Lorentz, John H. (2007). The A to Z of Iran. Scarecrow Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-8108-7638-5.</li>
<li>Matthews, Roger; Nashli, Hassan Fazeli (2022). <a href="https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003224129">The Archaeology of Iran from the Palaeolithic to the Achaemenid Empire</a>. <a href="/facts/Routledge/aSwcES11">Routledge</a>. <a href="/facts/Doi_(identifier)/muM9Etpq">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.4324%2F9781003224129">10.4324/9781003224129</a>. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-003-22412-9.</li>
<li>Osman, Khalil (2014). Sectarianism in Iraq: The Making of State and Nation Since 1920. Taylor & Francis. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-138-77946-4.</li>
<li>Middleton, John (2015). World Monarchies and Dynasties. Routledge. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-7656-8050-1.</li>
<li>Roisman, Joseph; Worthington, Ian (2011). <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=QsJ183uUDkMC">A Companion to Ancient Macedonia</a>. John Wiley and Sons. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-4443-5163-7. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230115223538/https://books.google.com/books?id=QsJ183uUDkMC">Archived</a> from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2017.</li>
<li>Ross, Martha (1977). Rulers and Governments of the World: Volume 1: Earliest Times to 1491. Bowker. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 0-85935-021-5.</li>
<li>Rossabi, Morris (2002). "The Mongols and Their Legacy". The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256–1353. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 1-58839-071-3.</li>
<li>Pourshariati, Parvaneh (2008). Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire: The Sasanian–Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran. I.B. Tauris. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-84511-645-3.</li>
<li>Shenkar, Michael (2014). Intangible Spirits and Graven Images: The Iconography of Deities in the Pre-Islamic Iranian World. Brill. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-90-04-28148-6.</li>
<li>Strootman, Rolf (2020). "The Great Kings of Asia: Imperial Titulature in the Seleukid and Post-Seleukid Middle East". New Perspectives in Seleucid History, Archaeology and Numismatics: Studies in Honor of Getzel M. Cohen. Walter de Gruyter GmbH. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-3-11-028378-5.</li>
<li>Temperman, Jeroen (2010). "State Support & State Acknowledgement of Religion". State-Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance. Brill. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-90-04-18148-9.</li>
<li>Sicker, Martin (2000). The Pre-Islamic Middle East. Greenwood Publishing Group. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-275-96890-8.</li>
<li>Tohidi, Nayareh (2009). "Ethnicity and Religious Minority Politics in Iran". In Gheissari, Ali (ed.). Contemporary Iran: Economy, Society, Politics. Oxford University Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-19-537849-8.</li>
<li>Venning, Timothy (2023). A Compendium of World Sovereigns: Volume I Ancient. Routledge. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-032-36194-9.</li>
<li>Ward, Steven R. (2009). Immortal: A Military History of Iran and its Armed Forces. Georgetown University Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-58901-587-6.</li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>

<ul><li><a href="https://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=IR">Key Development Forecasts for Iran</a> from <a href="/facts/International_Futures/IalAGFSV">International Futures</a></li></ul>
<h3>Government</h3>
<ul><li><a href="https://irangov.ir/en">Government</a> – Official website of the Government of Iran</li>
<li><a href="https://www.leader.ir/en">Supreme Leader</a> – official website of the supreme leader of Iran</li>
<li><a href="https://president.ir/en">Presidency</a> – official website of the president of Iran</li>
<li><a href="http://www.majlis.ir">Consultative Assembly</a> – official website of the National Consultative Assembly of Iran</li>
<li><a href="http://divanealee.eadl.ir">Supreme Court</a> – official website of the Supreme Court of Egypt</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amar.org.ir">Statistics</a> – official website of Statistical Centre of Iran</li></ul>
<h3>History</h3>
<ul><li><a href="https://lisbon.mfa.ir/pt/generalcategoryservices/9025/history-of-iran">"History"</a> – Iranian history at Embassy of Iran in Lisbon</li></ul>
<h3>Tourism</h3>
<ul><li><a href="https://visitiran.ir/">Visit Iran</a> – Iran's official tourism portal</li></ul>
<h3>Maps</h3>
<ul><li> Wikimedia Atlas of Iran</li>
<li> Geographic data related to <a href="https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/304938">Iran</a> at <a href="/facts/OpenStreetMap/Hd3yejum">OpenStreetMap</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">English: /ɪˈrɑːn/ ⓘ ih-RAHN or /ɪˈræn/ ih-RAN or /aɪˈræn/ eye-RAN;[7] Persian: ایران, romanized: Irân, pronounced [ʔiːˈɾɒːn] ⓘ <a href="/wiki/Help:IPA/English" target="_blank">/wiki/Help:IPA/English</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Persian: جمهوری اسلامی ایران, romanized: Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân, pronounced [dʒomhuːˈɾiːje eslɒːˈmiːje ʔiːˈɾɒːn] ⓘ. <a href="/wiki/Persian_language" target="_blank">/wiki/Persian_language</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">English: /ˈpɜːrʒə/ ⓘ PUR-zhə.[7] <a href="/wiki/Help:IPA/English" target="_blank">/wiki/Help:IPA/English</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Fishman, Joshua A. (2010). Handbook of Language and Ethnic Identity: Disciplinary and Regional Perspectives. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 266. ISBN 978-0195374926. 'Iran' and 'Persia' are synonymous. The former has always been used by the Iranian speaking peoples themselves, while the latter has served as the international name of the country in various languages. <a href="978-0195374926" target="_blank">978-0195374926</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">Yarshater, Ehsan (1989). "Communication". Iranian Studies. XXII (1): 62–65. doi:10.1080/00210868908701726. JSTOR 4310640. Reprinted online as "Persia or Iran, Persian or Farsi" (Archived 2010-10-24 at the Wayback Machine). <a href="/wiki/Iranian_Studies_(journal)" target="_blank">/wiki/Iranian_Studies_(journal)</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Majd, Hooman, The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran, by Hooman Majd, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 23 September 2008, ISBN 0385528426, 9780385528429. p. 161 <a href="/wiki/Hooman_Majd" target="_blank">/wiki/Hooman_Majd</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Shahbazi, A. Shapur. "HAFT KEŠVAR -- Encyclopaedia Iranica". iranicaonline.org. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/haft-kesvar" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/haft-kesvar</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">People, "New evidence: modern civilization began in Iran", 10 Aug 2007 Archived 24 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 1 October 2007 <a href="http://en.people.cn/90001/90782/90874/6236885.html" target="_blank">http://en.people.cn/90001/90782/90874/6236885.html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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<li id="fn:10">Katouzian 2013, p. xii. - Katouzian, Homa (2013). Iran: Politics, History and Literature. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-63689-6. <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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<li id="fn:12">Sicker 2000, p. 68–69. - Sicker, Martin (2000). The Pre-Islamic Middle East. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-275-96890-8. <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"Urartu – Lost Kingdom of Van". Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150702205257/http://www.starspring.com/ascender/urartu/urartu.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20150702205257/http://www.starspring.com/ascender/urartu/urartu.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"Urartu Civilization – All About Turkey". Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015. <a href="http://www.allaboutturkey.com/urartu.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allaboutturkey.com/urartu.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Shenkar 2014, p. 5. - Shenkar, Michael (2014). Intangible Spirits and Graven Images: The Iconography of Deities in the Pre-Islamic Iranian World. Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-28148-6. <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Middleton 2015, p. 148. - Middleton, John (2015). World Monarchies and Dynasties. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-7656-8050-1. <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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<li id="fn:18">"Forgotten Empire— the world of Ancient Persia". The British Museum. 2005. Archived from the original on 23 April 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070423012310/http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/forgottenempire/persia/darius.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20070423012310/http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/forgottenempire/persia/darius.html</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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<li id="fn:23">Venning 2023, p. 118. - Venning, Timothy (2023). A Compendium of World Sovereigns: Volume I Ancient. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-36194-9. <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">Strootman 2020, p. 151. - Strootman, Rolf (2020). "The Great Kings of Asia: Imperial Titulature in the Seleukid and Post-Seleukid Middle East". New Perspectives in Seleucid History, Archaeology and Numismatics: Studies in Honor of Getzel M. Cohen. Walter de Gruyter GmbH. ISBN 978-3-11-028378-5. <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">The Parni was an eastern Iranian tribe established on the Amu Darya in the conferedation of Dahae.[28] To Yarshater, they were a Saka tribe, who penetrated Parthia, adopted its language, and eventually challenged the Seleucids' power in Parthia.[29] <a href="/wiki/Dahae" target="_blank">/wiki/Dahae</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">Venning 2023, p. 162. - Venning, Timothy (2023). A Compendium of World Sovereigns: Volume I Ancient. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-36194-9. <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:27">Venning 2023, p. 118. - Venning, Timothy (2023). A Compendium of World Sovereigns: Volume I Ancient. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-36194-9. <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:28">Strootman 2020, p. 150. - Strootman, Rolf (2020). "The Great Kings of Asia: Imperial Titulature in the Seleukid and Post-Seleukid Middle East". New Perspectives in Seleucid History, Archaeology and Numismatics: Studies in Honor of Getzel M. Cohen. Walter de Gruyter GmbH. ISBN 978-3-11-028378-5. <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:29">Strootman 2020, p. 150. - Strootman, Rolf (2020). "The Great Kings of Asia: Imperial Titulature in the Seleukid and Post-Seleukid Middle East". New Perspectives in Seleucid History, Archaeology and Numismatics: Studies in Honor of Getzel M. Cohen. Walter de Gruyter GmbH. ISBN 978-3-11-028378-5. <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:30">Venning 2023, p. 118. - Venning, Timothy (2023). A Compendium of World Sovereigns: Volume I Ancient. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-36194-9. <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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<li id="fn:32">"Khosrow II (590–628 CE)". Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025. <a href="https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/23003#:~:text=It%20was%20under%20Khosrow%20II,the%20early%20seventh%20century%20CE." target="_blank">https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/23003#:~:text=It%20was%20under%20Khosrow%20II,the%20early%20seventh%20century%20CE.</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:33">Gyselen 1997. - Gyselen, Ryka (1997). "Economy iv. In the Sasanian Period". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/economy-iv/" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/economy-iv/</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:34">Eiland 2004, p. 81. - Eiland, Murray (2004). "West Asia, 300 BC–AD 600". In Onians, John (ed.). Atlas of World Art. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-521583-0. <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:35">Lewis, Bernard. "Iran in history". Tel Aviv University. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2007. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070429144545/http://www.tau.ac.il/dayancenter/mel/lewis.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20070429144545/http://www.tau.ac.il/dayancenter/mel/lewis.html</a> <a href="#fnref:35" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:36">Hawting 1986, p. 63–64. - Hawting, G. R. (1986). The First Dynasty of Islam: The Umayyad Caliphate, AD 661–750. Croom Helm Ltd. <a href="#fnref:36" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:37">Pourshariati 2008, pp. 312–313. - Pourshariati, Parvaneh (2008). Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire: The Sasanian–Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84511-645-3. <a href="#fnref:37" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:38">Osman 2014, pp. 62–63. - Osman, Khalil (2014). Sectarianism in Iraq: The Making of State and Nation Since 1920. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-138-77946-4. <a href="#fnref:38" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:39">Lorentz 2007, p. xxviii. - Lorentz, John H. (2007). The A to Z of Iran. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7638-5. <a href="#fnref:39" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:40">Lorentz 2007, p. xxviii. - Lorentz, John H. (2007). The A to Z of Iran. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7638-5. <a href="#fnref:40" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:41">Mahendrarajah 2019. sfn error: no target: CITEREFMahendrarajah2019 (help) <a href="#fnref:41" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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<li id="fn:44">Nasr, Hoseyn; Islam and the pliqht of modern man <a href="#fnref:44" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:45">Encyclopædia Britannica, "Seljuq", Online Edition, (Link Archived 19 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine) <a href="/wiki/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica" target="_blank">/wiki/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica</a> <a href="#fnref:45" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:46">Richard Frye, The Heritage of Persia, p. 243. <a href="#fnref:46" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:47">Rayhanat al- adab, (3rd ed.), vol. 1, p. 181. <a href="#fnref:47" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:48">Barthold 1962, p. 108. - Barthold, V. V. (1962). Four Studies on the History of Central Asia: Volume III: Mir Ali-Shir: A Histoty of the Turkman People. Brill. <a href="#fnref:48" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:49">Blair 1992, p. 6. - Blair, Sheila (1992). The Monumental Inscriptions from Early Islamic Iran and Transoxiana. Brill. ISBN 90-04-09367-2. <a href="#fnref:49" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:50">El-Azhari 2019, p. 311. - El-Azhari, Taef (2019). "The Seljuqs from Syria to Iran: The Age of Khatuns and Atabegs". Queens, Eunuchs and Concubines in Islamic History, 661–1257. Edinburg University Press. pp. 285–348. doi:10.3366/edinburgh/9781474423182.003.0007. ISBN 978-1-4744-2318-2. S2CID 219872073. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3366%2Fedinburgh%2F9781474423182.003.0007" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.3366%2Fedinburgh%2F9781474423182.003.0007</a> <a href="#fnref:50" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:51">Bosworth 1986. - Bosworth, C. Edmund (1986). "Anūštigin Ḡarčaʾī". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/anustigin-garcai-slave-commander" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/anustigin-garcai-slave-commander</a> <a href="#fnref:51" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:52">Ross 1977, p. 307. - Ross, Martha (1977). Rulers and Governments of the World: Volume 1: Earliest Times to 1491. Bowker. ISBN 0-85935-021-5. <a href="#fnref:52" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:53">Bosworth 2009. - Bosworth, C. Edmund (2009). "Khwarazmshahs i. Descendants of the line of Anuštigin". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/khwarazmshahs-i" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/khwarazmshahs-i</a> <a href="#fnref:53" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:54">Bosworth 2009. - Bosworth, C. Edmund (2009). "Khwarazmshahs i. Descendants of the line of Anuštigin". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/khwarazmshahs-i" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/khwarazmshahs-i</a> <a href="#fnref:54" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:55">Ward 2009, p. 39. - Ward, Steven R. (2009). Immortal: A Military History of Iran and its Armed Forces. Georgetown University Press. ISBN 978-1-58901-587-6. <a href="#fnref:55" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:56">Aigle 2024, p. 26. - Aigle, Denise (2024). Iran Under the Mongols: Ilkhanid Administrators and Persian Notables in Fars. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-0-7556-4573-2. <a href="#fnref:56" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:57">Bosworth 2009. - Bosworth, C. Edmund (2009). "Khwarazmshahs i. Descendants of the line of Anuštigin". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/khwarazmshahs-i" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/khwarazmshahs-i</a> <a href="#fnref:57" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:58">Lane 2012, p. 250. - Lane, George E. (2012). "The Mongols in Iran". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-973215-9. <a href="#fnref:58" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:59">Lane 2012, p. 250. - Lane, George E. (2012). "The Mongols in Iran". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-973215-9. <a href="#fnref:59" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:60">Rossabi 2002, p. 32. - Rossabi, Morris (2002). "The Mongols and Their Legacy". The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256–1353. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 1-58839-071-3. <a href="#fnref:60" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:61">Lane 2012, p. 250. - Lane, George E. (2012). "The Mongols in Iran". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-973215-9. <a href="#fnref:61" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:62">Lane 2012, pp. 253–254, 256. - Lane, George E. (2012). "The Mongols in Iran". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-973215-9. <a href="#fnref:62" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:63">Lane 2012, pp. 253–254, 256. - Lane, George E. (2012). "The Mongols in Iran". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-973215-9. <a href="#fnref:63" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:64">Rossabi 2002, p. 32. - Rossabi, Morris (2002). "The Mongols and Their Legacy". The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256–1353. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 1-58839-071-3. <a href="#fnref:64" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:65">Q&A with John Kelly on The Great Mortality on National Review Online Archived 9 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/kelly200509140843.asp" target="_blank">http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/kelly200509140843.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:65" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:66">Golden 2011, p. 94: "He was born some 100 km (62 miles) south of Samarkand into a clan of the Barlas, a Turkicized tribe of Mongol descent." - Golden, Peter B. (2011). Central Asia in World History. Oxford University Press. <a href="#fnref:66" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:67">This section incorporates text from the public domain Library of Congress Country Studies.Chapin Metz, Helen (1989), "Invasions of the Mongols and Tamerlane", Iran: a country study, Library of Congress Country Studies, archived from the original on 17 September 2008 <a href="/wiki/Library_of_Congress_Country_Studies" target="_blank">/wiki/Library_of_Congress_Country_Studies</a> <a href="#fnref:67" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:68">"Isfahan: Iran's Hidden Jewel". Smithsonianmag.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100717113459/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Irans-Hidden-Jewel.html?c=y&page=2" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20100717113459/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Irans-Hidden-Jewel.html?c=y&page=2</a> <a href="#fnref:68" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:69">This section incorporates text from the public domain Library of Congress Country Studies.Chapin Metz, Helen (1989), "Invasions of the Mongols and Tamerlane", Iran: a country study, Library of Congress Country Studies, archived from the original on 17 September 2008 <a href="/wiki/Library_of_Congress_Country_Studies" target="_blank">/wiki/Library_of_Congress_Country_Studies</a> <a href="#fnref:69" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:70">Matthee 2008. - Matthee, Rudolph P. (2008). "Safavid Dynasty". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/safavids" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/safavids</a> <a href="#fnref:70" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:71">Matthee 2008. - Matthee, Rudolph P. (2008). "Safavid Dynasty". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/safavids" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/safavids</a> <a href="#fnref:71" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:72">Brown 2011, p. 432. - Brown, Brad (2011). "Ismail, Shah (Safavid) (1487–1524)". In Mikaberidze, Alexander (ed.). Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-59884-336-1. <a href="#fnref:72" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:73">Savory & Karamustafa 1998. - Savory, Roger; Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (1998). "Esmāʿīl I Ṣafawī". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/esmail-i-safawi#i" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/esmail-i-safawi#i</a> <a href="#fnref:73" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:74">Ferrier, R. W.; A Journey to Persia: Jean Chardin's Portrait of a Seventeenth-century Empire; pp. 71–71. <a href="#fnref:74" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:75">Matthee 2008. - Matthee, Rudolph P. (2008). "Safavid Dynasty". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica (Online ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica Foundation. <a href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/safavids" target="_blank">https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/safavids</a> <a href="#fnref:75" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:76">Aghaie 2012, p. 306. - Aghaie, Kamran Scot (2012). "The Afghan Interlude and the Zand and Afshar Dynasties (1722–95)". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-973215-9. <a href="#fnref:76" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:77">Aghaie 2012, p. 306. - Aghaie, Kamran Scot (2012). "The Afghan Interlude and the Zand and Afshar Dynasties (1722–95)". The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-973215-9. <a href="#fnref:77" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:78">Cambridge History of Iran Vol. 7, p. 59. <a href="#fnref:78" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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<li id="fn:297">Examples include the Hoot, Kowsar, Zelzal, Fateh-110, Shahab-3, Sejjil, Fattah, Khorramahahr, Kheibar Shekan, Emad, Ghadr-110, Hormuz-1, Dezful, Qiam 1, Ashoura, Fajr-3, Haj Qasem, Persian Gulf, Raad-500, Zolfaghar, Hoveyzeh, Soumar, Fakour-90, Paveh, Rezvan, Samen, Tondar-69.[citation needed] <a href="/wiki/Hoot_(torpedo)" target="_blank">/wiki/Hoot_(torpedo)</a> <a href="#fnref:297" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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</ol>

Iran open-in-new

Iran