Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Iran

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|Country in West Asia}}
{{Other uses}}
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{{Redirect-distinguish-for|Persia|Persis}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Very long|date=January 2024|words=15,600}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Islamic Republic of Iran
| common_name            = Iran
| native_name            = {{nobold|{{native name|fa|جمهوری اسلامی ایران|italics=off}}}}<br />{{small|{{transliteration|fa|Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân}}}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Iran.svg
| image_coat             = Emblem of Iran.svg
| symbol_type            = Emblem
| national_motto         = {{lang|fa|استقلال، آزادی، جمهوری اسلامی}}<br />{{transliteration|fa|Esteqlâl, Âzâdi, Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi}}<br />"Independence, freedom, the Islamic Republic"<br />(''[[de facto]]'')<ref>{{cite book |author=Jeroen Temperman |title=State-Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Khag6tbsIn4C&pg=PA87 |year=2010 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-18148-9 |pages=87– |quote=The official motto of Iran is [the] ''[[Takbir]]'' ('God is the Greatest' or 'God is Great'). Transliteration ''Allahu Akbar''. As referred to in art. 18 of the constitution of Iran (1979). The ''[[de facto]]'' motto however is: 'Independence, freedom, the Islamic Republic.{{'-}}}}</ref>
| national_anthem        = {{lang|fa|سرود ملی جمهوری اسلامی ایران}}<br />{{nowrap|{{transliteration|fa|Sorud-e Melli-ye Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân}}}}<br />{{nowrap|"[[National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran]]"}}{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Sorud-e Mellí-e Yomhurí-e Eslamí-e Irán (instrumental).oga]]}}
| image_map              = {{switcher|[[File:Iran (orthographic projection).svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Iran on the globe|[[File:Iran - Location Map (2013) - IRN - UNOCHA.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Map of Iran}}
| capital                = [[Tehran]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|35|41|N|51|25|E|type:city}}
| largest_city           = [[Tehran]]
| official_languages     = [[Persian language|Persian]]
| regional_languages     = {{Collapsible list
| titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;font-size:100%;
| title = [[Languages of Iran|List of languages]]:<ref name="CIA" /> | Predominantly [[Persian language|Persian]] | 18% [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]] and other [[Turkic languages]] {{midsize|(incl. [[Qashqai language|Qashqai]], [[Turkmen language|Turkmen]])<ref name="britannicalanguages">{{Cite web |title=Iran – Languages |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Iran/Languages |access-date=9 January 2020 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref>}} | 10% [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]] | 7% [[Gilaki language|Gilaki]] and [[Mazanderani language|Mazanderani]] | 6% [[Luri language|Luri]] | 2% [[Balochi language|Balochi]] | 2% [[Arabic]] | 2% other<ref name=AO /> {{midsize|(incl. [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Assyrian Neo-Aramaic|Assyrian]], [[Georgian language|Georgian]], [[Laki language|Laki]], [[Semnani languages|Semnani]], [[Talysh language|Talysh]], [[Tati language (Iran)|Tati]])}}}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{Tree list}}
{{Collapsible list
| title = All
| Predominantly [[Persians]]
| [[Iranian Azerbaijanis|Azeris]]
| [[Kurds in Iran|Kurds]]
| [[Mazanderani people|Mazanderanis]]
| [[Lurs]]
| [[Gilaki people|Gilaks]]
| [[Iranian Arabs|Arabs]]
| [[Armenians]]
| [[Iranian Turkmens|Turkmens]]
| [[Baloch of Iran|Baloch]]
| [[Talysh people|Talysh]]
| [[Tat people (Iran)|Tat]]}}
{{Tree list/end}}
| ethnic_groups_ref      = {{Sfn|Tohidi|2009|p=300}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2003 estimate
| demonym                = [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]]
| government_type        = Unitary [[Theocracy#Iran|theocratic]] presidential [[Islamic republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]]
| leader_name1           = {{nowrap|[[Ali Khamenei]]}}
| leader_title2          = [[President of Iran|President]]
| leader_name2           = [[Ebrahim Raisi]]
| leader_title3          = [[Vice President of Iran|Vice President]]
| leader_name3           = [[Mohammad Mokhber]]
| leader_title4          = [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Iran|Speaker of the Parliament]]
| leader_name4           = [[Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf]]
| leader_title6          = [[Guardian Council|Secretary of the Guardian Council]]
| leader_name6           = [[Ahmad Jannati]]
| leader_title7          = [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Iran)|Foreign Minister]]
| leader_name7           = [[Hossein Amir-Abdollahian]]
| leader_title5          = [[Chief Justice of Iran|Chief Justice]]
| leader_name5           = [[Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i]]
| legislature            = [[Islamic Consultative Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Iran|Establishment history]]
| established_event1     = [[Elam|Elamite Empire]]
| established_date1      = {{circa|3200 BC}}
| established_event2     = [[Median state|Median Empire]]
| established_date2      = {{circa|678 BC}}
| established_event3     = [[Achaemenid Empire]]
| established_date3      = 550 BC
| established_event4     = [[Parthian Empire]]
| established_date4      = 247 BC
| established_event5     = [[Sasanian Empire]]
| established_date5      = 224 AD
| established_event6     = [[Samanid Empire]]
| established_date6      = 819
| established_event7     = [[Buyid dynasty]]
| established_date7      = 934
| established_event8     = [[Safavid Empire]]
| established_date8      = 1501
| established_event9     = [[Afsharid Iran|Afsharid Empire]]
| established_date9      = 1736
| established_event10    = [[Zand dynasty|Zand Kingdom]]
| established_date10     = 1751
| established_event11    = [[Qajar Iran|Qajar Empire]]
| established_date11     = 1796
| established_event12    = [[Pahlavi Iran]]
| established_date12     = 15 December 1925
| established_event13    = [[Iranian Revolution]]
| established_date13     = 11 February 1979
| established_event14    = [[Constitution of Iran|Current Constitution]]
| established_date14     = 3 December 1979
| established_event15    = [[1989 Iranian constitutional referendum|Latest amendment]]
| established_date15     = 28 July 1989
| area_km2               = 1,648,195
| area_rank              = 17th
| area_sq_mi             = 636,372<!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and Numbers]]-->
| percent_water          = 1.63 (as of 2015)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surface water and surface water change |url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER |access-date=11 October 2020 |publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)}}</ref>
| population_estimate    = 87,590,873<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Iran|access-date=22 June 2023|year=2023}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2023
| population_estimate_rank = 17th
| population_density_km2 = 55
| population_density_sq_mi = 142<!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and Numbers]]-->
| population_density_rank = 132nd<!--Wiki source[?]-->
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $1.725 trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.IR">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=429,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Iran) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2023}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2023
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 19th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $19,942<ref name="IMFWEO.IR" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 79th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $366.438 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.IR" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2023
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 42nd
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $4,234<ref name="IMFWEO.IR" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 120th
| Gini                   = 40.9<!--number only-->
| Gini_year              = 2019
| Gini_change            = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name="Data.worldbank.org">{{Cite web |title=Gini index |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=IR |access-date=13 January 2023 |website=[[World Bank]]}}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI                    = 0.780<!--number only-->
| HDI_year               = 2022<!--Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2023/24|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=13 March 2024|page=289|access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 78th
| currency               = [[Iranian rial]] ({{nq|{{wikt-lang|fa|ریال}}}})
| currency_code          = IRR
| time_zone              = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]]
| utc_offset             = +3:30
| date_format            = <span dir="rtl">[[Date and time notation in Iran|yyyy/mm/dd]]</span> ([[Solar Hijri calendar|SH]])
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Iran|+98]]
| iso3166code            = IR
| cctld                  = {{unbulleted list |[[.ir]] |[[.ir|ایران.]]}}
}}
{{Contains special characters|Perso-Arabic|compact=yes|width=290px}}

'''Iran''',{{efn|{{lang-fa|ایران|Irân}}, {{IPAc-en|lang|audio=En-us-Iran.ogg|ɪ|ˈ|r|ɑː|n}} {{respell|ih|RAHN}} or {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|r|æ|n}} {{respell|ih|RAN}} or {{IPAc-en|aɪ|ˈ|r|æ|n}} {{respell|eye|RAN}};<ref name="MW">{{Cite web |title=Definition of IRAN |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Iran |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref>{{IPA-fa|ʔiːˈɾɒːn||Iran-Pronunciation.ogg}}}} also known as '''Persia'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Persia.wav|ˈ|p|ɜːr|ʒ|ə}} {{respell|PUR|zhə}}<ref name="MW" />}} and officially the '''Islamic Republic of Iran''' ('''IRI'''),{{efn|{{lang-fa|جمهوری اسلامی ایران|Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân}}, {{pronunciation|Fa-ir-JEI (1).ogg|listen|(|help=no}} {{IPA-fa|dʒomhuːˌɾije eslɒːˌmije ʔiːˈɾɒn|}}}} is a country located at the crossroads of [[West Asia|West]], [[Central Asia|Central]] and [[South Asia]]. It is bordered by [[Iraq]] to the west and [[Turkey]] to the northwest, [[Azerbaijan]], [[Armenia]], the [[Caspian Sea]] and [[Turkmenistan]] to the north, [[Afghanistan]] to the east, [[Pakistan]] to the southeast, the [[Gulf of Oman]] and the [[Persian Gulf]] to the south. With almost 90 million people in an area of {{convert|1.648|e6km2|e6sqmi|2|abbr=off|sp=}}, Iran ranks 17th in the world in both [[List of countries and dependencies by area|geographic size]] and [[List of countries and dependencies by population density|population]]. The country is divided into [[Regions of Iran|five regions]] with [[Provinces of Iran|31 provinces]]. Its capital and largest city is [[Tehran]], with around 16 million people in its metropolitan area; other major urban centres include [[Mashhad]], [[Isfahan (city)|Isfahan]], [[Karaj]], and [[Shiraz]].

Iran is one of the world's oldest civilizations, beginning with the [[Elam]]ites in the fourth millennium BC. It was first unified by the [[Medes]] in the seventh century BC and reached its territorial height in the sixth century BC, when [[Cyrus the Great]] founded the [[Achaemenid Empire]], one of the largest empires in [[Ancient history|antiquity]]. [[Alexander the Great]] conquered the empire in the fourth century BC, and it was subsequently divided into several [[Hellenistic period|Hellenistic states]]. An Iranian rebellion established the [[Parthian Empire]] in the third century BC, which was succeeded in the third century AD by the [[Sasanian Empire]]. [[Muslim conquest of Persia|Arab Muslims conquered]] the region in the seventh century AD, leading to its [[Islamization of Iran|Islamization]]. Iran became a major centre of [[Islamic culture]] and learning, and its culture, language, and customs spread across the [[Muslim world]]. A series of [[Iranian Intermezzo|native Iranian Muslim dynasties]] ruled the country until the [[Seljuks|Seljuk]] and the [[Ilkhanate|Mongol]] conquests of the 11th to 14th centuries. In the 16th century, the native [[Safavids]] re-established a unified Iranian state with [[Twelver]] [[Shia Islam]] as the official religion, marking the beginning of modern Iranian history.

Under [[Nader Shah|Nader Shah Afshar]] in the 18th century, Iran was a leading world power, though by the 19th century, it had lost significant territory [[Russo-Persian Wars|through a series of conflicts]] with the [[Russian Empire]]. The early 20th century saw the [[Persian Constitutional Revolution]], the establishment of the [[Pahlavi dynasty]], and efforts at modernization. Attempts to nationalise [[Petroleum industry in Iran|the country's vast fossil fuel supply]] led to an [[1953 Iranian coup d'état|Anglo-American coup in 1953]]. After the [[Iranian Revolution]], the monarchy was overthrown in 1979 and the Islamic Republic of Iran was established by [[Ruhollah Khomeini]], who became the country's first [[Supreme Leader of Iran|supreme leader]]. Iran is [[Government of Iran|officially governed]] as an [[Islamic republic|Islamic Republic]] with a [[presidential system]], albeit with ultimate authority vested in a theocratic supreme leader (rahbar), currently [[Ali Khamenei]] since [[Death and state funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini|Khomeini's death]] in 1989. The Iranian government is [[authoritarian]] and has attracted widespread criticism for its constraints and violations of [[Human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran|human rights]].

Iran is a major [[middle power|middle]] and [[regional power]], due to its large reserves of [[fossil fuel]]s, including the world's second largest [[Natural gas reserves in Iran|natural gas supply]], [[List of countries by proven oil reserves|third largest proven oil reserves]], its strategic location in the [[Asian continent]], its [[Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces|military capabilities]], its regional influence, and its role as the focal point of [[Shia Islam]] within the Middle East and the world. It is a founding member of the [[United Nations]], the [[Economic Cooperation Organization|ECO]], the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|OIC]], the [[OPEC]], the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation|SCO]], and a member of [[BRICS]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-29 |title=BRICS to Grow as Saudi, Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia Join Ranks |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-29/brics-to-grow-as-saudi-iran-uae-egypt-ethiopia-join-ranks |access-date=2024-01-01}}</ref> Owing it to its long history and rich cultural legacy, Iran is home to 27 [[List of World Heritage Sites in Iran|UNESCO World Heritage Sites]], the 10th highest number in the world, and ranks 5th globally in the number inscriptions of [[Intangible cultural heritage|Intangible Cultural Heritage]], or human treasures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-06 |title=ایران در جایگاه پنجم جهانی ثبت آثار ناملموس در یونسکو قرار گرفت |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5959467/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%BE%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85-%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AB%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D8%A2%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3%DA%A9%D9%88-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Mehrnews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-06 |title=ایران در جایگاه پنجم جهانی ثبت آثار ناملموس در یونسکو قرار گرفت |url=https://dolat.ir/detail/429567 |archive-date= |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Dolat}}</ref> The people of Iran are multicultural and comprise a wide variety of ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups.

== Etymology ==
{{Main|Name of Iran}}
[[File:Irnp105-Grobowce Naqsh-E Rustam.jpg|alt=Inscription of Ardeshir Babakan (ruling 224–242) in Naqsh-e Rostam|thumb|The well-preserved Inscription of [[Ardashir I|Ardashir Babakan]] (224–242 AD) in [[Naqsh-e Rostam]]: "This is the figure of Mazdaworshipper, the lord Ardashir, King of Iran." <ref>The history of pre-Islamic literature of Persia, Ahmad Tafazzoli and Zhale Amoozgar, p 84, Sokhan publications, Tehran, {{ISBN|964-5983-14-2}}</ref>]]The term ''[[Iran (word)|Iran]]'' ''("the land of the Aryans")'' derives from [[Middle Persian]] {{transliteration|pal|Ērān}}, first attested in a third-century inscription at [[Naqsh-e Rostam]], with the accompanying [[Parthian language|Parthian]] inscription using the term {{transliteration|xpr|Aryān}}, in reference to the [[Arya (Iran)|Iranians]].{{Sfn|MacKenzie|1998}} The terms {{transliteration|pal|Ērān}} and {{transliteration|xpr|Aryān}} are oblique plural forms of [[Demonym|gentilic]] nouns ''ēr-'' (Middle Persian) and ''ary-'' (Parthian), both deriving from [[Proto-Iranian language]] ''*arya-'' (meaning "[[Aryan]]", i.e. "of the Iranians"),{{Sfn|MacKenzie|1998}}{{Sfn|Schmitt|1987}} recognised as a derivative of [[Proto-Indo-European language]] ''{{PIE|*ar-yo-}}'', meaning "one who assembles (skilfully)".<ref>Laroche. 1957. Proto-Iranian ''*arya-'' descends from Proto-Indo-European (PIE) ''{{PIE|*ar-yo-}}'', a ''yo-''adjective to a root {{PIE|*ar}} "to assemble skillfully", present in Greek ''harma'' "chariot", Greek ''aristos'', (as in "[[aristocracy]]"), Latin ''ars'' "art", etc.</ref> According to Iranian mythology, the country's name comes from [[Iraj]], a legendary prince and king.{{Sfn|Shahbazi|2004}}

Historically, Iran has been referred to as ''Persia'' by [[Western world|the West]],<ref name="Fishman">{{Cite book |last=A. Fishman |first=Joshua |title=Handbook of Language and Ethnic Identity: Disciplinary and Regional Perspectives (Volume 1) |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-19-537492-6 |page=266 |quote=" "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}}</ref><ref name="Lewis1984">{{Cite journal |last=Lewis |first=Geoffrey |year=1984 |title=The naming of names |journal=British Society for Middle Eastern Studies Bulletin |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=121–124 |doi=10.1080/13530198408705394}}</ref> due mainly to the writings of [[Greeks|Greek]] historians who referred to all of Iran as {{transliteration|grc|Persís}} ([[Ancient Greek]]: Περσίς; from [[Old Persian]] {{lang|peo|𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿}} {{transliteration|peo|Pârsa}}),<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Persia Persia], ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', "The term Persia was used for centuries{{nbsp}}... [because] use of the name was gradually extended by the ancient Greeks and other peoples to apply to the whole Iranian plateau."</ref> meaning "land of the [[Persians]]", while [[Persis]] was only one of the provinces located in the southwest of ancient Iran.<ref name="Arnold Wilson">{{Cite book |last=Wilson, Arnold |title=The Persian Gulf (RLE Iran A) |date=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-84105-7 |page=71 |chapter=The Middle Ages: Fars |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FocirvdZKjcC}}</ref>

In 1935, [[Reza Shah|Reza Pahlavi]] requested the international community to refer to the country by its native name, ''Iran''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=This day in history, March 21: Social media website Twitter established with the sending of the first 'tweet' by co-founder Jack Dorsey |work=Chicago Tribune |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/history/ct-aud-today-history-almanac-march-21-20210321-diloqzhmcvg2bhehhl3ytwwutq-story.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 January 1935 |title=Persia Changes Its Name; To Be 'Iran' From Mar. 22 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/01/01/archives/persia-changes-its-name-to-be-iran-from-mar-22.html |access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref> While Iranians had been calling their nation ''Iran'' since at least 1000 BC, this name change was only made so that the Western World would begin to refer to the country by the same name as its people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=When Did Persia Become Iran and Why? |url=https://www.historyhit.com/when-did-persia-become-iran-and-why/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=History Hit |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''Iran'' was recognized as ''Iran'' before it was ever known as ''Persia''. Today, both ''Iran'' and ''Persia'' are used in cultural contexts, while ''Iran'' remains mandatory in official state contexts.<ref name="artarena">{{Cite web |title=Persia or Iran, a brief history |url=http://www.art-arena.com/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523020103/http://www.art-arena.com/history.html |archive-date=23 May 2013 |access-date=21 June 2013 |publisher=Art-arena.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=http://azadegan.info/files/Dr.Frye-discusses-greater-Iran-on-CNN.mp4 |title=interview by Asieh Namdar |date=20 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423185051/http://azadegan.info/files/Dr.Frye-discusses-greater-Iran-on-CNN.mp4 |archive-date=23 April 2016 |url-status=dead |quote=I spent all my life working in Iran, and as you know I don't mean Iran of today, I mean Greater Iran, the Iran which in the past, extended all the way from China to borders of Hungary and from other Mongolia to Mesopotamia |people=[[Richard N. Frye]] |work=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Christoph Marcinkowski |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F9khRsDDuX8C&pg=PA83 |title=Shi'ite Identities: Community and Culture in Changing Social Contexts |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |year=2010 |isbn=978-3-643-80049-7 |page=83 |quote=The 'historical lands of Iran' – 'Greater Iran' – were always known in the Persian language as Irānshahr or Irānzamīn. |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Frye |first=Richard Nelson |date=October 1962 |title=Reitzenstein and Qumrân Revisited by an Iranian |journal=The Harvard Theological Review |volume=55 |issue=4 |pages=261–268 |doi=10.1017/S0017816000007926 |jstor=1508723 |s2cid=162213219 |quote=I use the term Iran in an historical context [...] Persia would be used for the modern state, more or less equivalent to "western Iran". I use the term "Greater Iran" to mean what I suspect most Classicists and ancient historians really mean by their use of Persia – that which was within the political boundaries of States ruled by Iranians.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Richard Frye |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9QOfAvCP1jkC&pg=PA13 |title=Persia (RLE Iran A) |publisher=Routledge |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-136-84154-5 |page=13 |quote=This 'greater Iran' included and still includes part of the Caucasus Mountains, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Iraq; for Kurds, Baluchis, Afghans, Tajiks, Ossetes, and other smaller groups are Iranians |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref><ref>Farrokh, Kaveh. Shadows in the Desert: Ancient Persia at War. {{ISBN|1-84603-108-7}}</ref>

The Persian pronunciation of ''Iran'' is {{IPA-fa|ʔiːˈɾɒːn||}}. Common [[English in the Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth English]] pronunciations of ''Iran'' are listed in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' as {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|r|ɑː|n}} and {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|r|æ|n}},<ref name="Oxford_Iran">{{Cite web |title=Iran |url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/iran |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229033251/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/iran |archive-date=29 December 2016 |access-date=7 February 2017 |website=Oxford Dictionaries}}</ref> while [[American English]] dictionaries such as [[Merriam-Webster]]'s provide pronunciations which map to {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|r|ɑː|n|,_|-|ˈ|r|æ|n|,_|aɪ|ˈ|r|æ|n}},<ref name="MW_Iran">{{Cite web |title=Iran |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Iran |access-date=7 February 2017 |website=Merriam-Webster}}</ref> or likewise in ''[[Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary]]'' as {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|r|æ|n|,_|ɪ|ˈ|r|ɑː|n|,_|aɪ|ˈ|r|æ|n}}. The ''[[Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary|Cambridge Dictionary]]'' lists {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|r|ɑː|n}} as the British pronunciation and {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|r|æ|n}} as the American pronunciation. The pronunciation guide from [[Voice of America]] also provides {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|r|ɑː|n}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How do you say Iran? |url=http://pronounce.voanews.com/phrasedetail.php?name=IRAN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080458/http://pronounce.voanews.com/phrasedetail.php?name=IRAN |archive-date=11 February 2017 |access-date=7 February 2017 |website=Voice of America}}</ref> The American English pronunciation {{IPAc-en|aɪ|ˈ|r|æ|n}} may be heard in U.S. media.

== History ==
{{Overly detailed|section|details=|date=January 2024}} 
{{Main|History of Iran}}
{{For timeline|Timeline of Iranian history}}

=== Prehistory ===

{{Further|Prehistory of Iran|Archaeological sites in Iran}}
[[File:Choqa Zanbil Darafsh 1 (37).JPG|thumb|[[Chogha Zanbil]] (14th-13th century BC), an ancient [[Elam]]ite complex in [[Khuzestan]], built by [[Untash-Napirisha]]. [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-12-15 |title=Tchogha Zanbil|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/113 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Iranica}}</ref>]]
The earliest attested archaeological artifacts in Iran confirm human presence since the [[Lower Palaeolithic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Biglari |first1=Fereidoun |author-link=Fereidoun Biglari |last2=Saman Heydari |last3=Sonia Shidrang |title=Ganj Par: The first evidence for Lower Paleolithic occupation in the Southern Caspian Basin, Iran |url=http://www.antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/biglari302/ |access-date=27 April 2011 |publisher=[[Antiquity (journal)|Antiquity]]}}</ref> Iran's [[Neanderthal]] artifacts have been found mainly in the [[Zagros Mountains|Zagros]] region, at sites such as [[Warwasi]] and [[Yafteh]].<ref name="Museum">{{Cite web |title=National Museum of Iran |url=http://www.pbase.com/k_amj/tehran_museum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726032154/http://www.pbase.com/k_amj/tehran_museum |archive-date=26 July 2013 |access-date=21 June 2013 |publisher=Pbase.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=J. D. Vigne |title=First Steps of Animal Domestication, Proceedings of the 9th Conference of the International Council of Archaeozoology |last2=J. Peters |last3=D. Helmer |date=2002 |publisher=Oxbow Books, Limited |isbn=978-1-84217-121-9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pichon |first1=Fiona |last2=Estevez |first2=Juan José Ibáñez |last3=Anderson |first3=Patricia C. |last4=Tsuneki |first4=Akira |date=2023-08-25 |title=Harvesting cereals at Tappeh Sang-e Chakhmaq and the introduction of farming in Northeastern Iran during the Neolithic |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=18 |issue=8 |pages=e0290537 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0290537 |doi-access=free |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=10456166 |pmid=37624813|bibcode=2023PLoSO..1890537P }}</ref> From the tenth to the seventh millennium BC, early agricultural communities began to flourish in and around the Zagros region, including [[Chogha Golan]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nidhi Subbaraman |date=4 July 2013 |title=Early humans in Iran were growing wheat 12,000 years ago |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/early-humans-iran-were-growing-wheat-12-000-years-ago-f6C10536898 |access-date=26 August 2015 |website=NBC News}}</ref><ref>"Emergence of Agriculture in the Foothills of the Zagros Mountains of Iran", by Simone Riehl, Mohsen Zeidi, Nicholas J. Conard – University of Tübingen, publication 10 May 2013</ref> [[Chogha Bonut]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Excavations at Chogha Bonut: The earliest village in Susiana |url=http://oi.uchicago.edu/research/pubs/nn/spr97_alizadeh.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725195537/http://oi.uchicago.edu/research/pubs/nn/spr97_alizadeh.html |archive-date=25 July 2013 |access-date=21 June 2013 |publisher=Oi.uchicago.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=NEOLITHIC AGE IN IRAN |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica |publisher=Encyclopaedia Iranica Foundation |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/neolithic-age-in-iran |access-date=9 August 2012 |last=Hole |first=Frank |date=20 July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023055952/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/neolithic-age-in-iran |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Chogha Mish]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=K. Kris Hirst |title=Chogha Mish (Iran) |url=http://archaeology.about.com/od/cterms/g/choghamish.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106002737/http://archaeology.about.com/od/cterms/g/choghamish.htm |archive-date=6 November 2013 |access-date=18 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Collon |first=Dominique |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RTGc9YH-C38C |title=Ancient Near Eastern Art |publisher=University of California Press |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-520-20307-5 |access-date=4 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Woosley |first=Anne I. |url=https://ehrafarchaeology.yale.edu/document?id=mh60-033 |title=Early agriculture at Chogha Mish |date=1996 |publisher=Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago |isbn=978-1-885923-01-1 |series=The University of Chicago Oriental Institute publications}}</ref><ref name="xinhuaciv">{{Cite web |date=10 August 2007 |title=New evidence: modern civilization began in Iran |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/10/content_6508609.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217191819/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/10/content_6508609.htm |archive-date=17 December 2007 |access-date=21 June 2013 |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com}}</ref> The occupation of grouped hamlets in the area of [[Susa]] ranges from 4395 to 3490 BC.<ref>{{Cite book |last=D. T. Potts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mc4cfzkRVj4C&pg=PA45 |title=The Archaeology of Elam: Formation and Transformation of an Ancient Iranian State |date=1999 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-56496-0 |pages=45–46 |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref> There are dozens of prehistoric sites across the [[Iranian Plateau]], pointing to the existence of ancient cultures and urban settlements in the fourth millennium BC.<ref name="xinhuaciv" /><ref name="iran-daily">{{Cite news |title=Panorama – 03/03/07 |work=Iran Daily |url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/2795/html/panorama.htm |access-date=21 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312120827/http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/2795/html/panorama.htm |archive-date=12 March 2007}}</ref><ref name="iranian.ws">[http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_22427.shtml Iranian.ws, "Archaeologists: Modern civilization began in Iran based on new evidence", 12 August 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626145102/http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_22427.shtml |date=26 June 2015 }}</ref> During the [[Bronze Age]], the territory was home to several civilizations,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Whatley, Christopher |title=Bought and Sold for English Gold: The Union of 1707 |date=2001 |publisher=Tuckwell Press |author-link=Christopher Whatley}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lowell Barrington |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLLuWYL8gTsC&pg=PA121 |title=Comparative Politics: Structures and Choices, 2nd ed.tr: Structures and Choices |date=2012 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1-111-34193-0 |page=121 |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref> including [[Elam]], [[Jiroft culture|Jiroft]], and [[Zayandeh River Culture|Zayanderud]]. Elam, the most prominent of these, developed in the southwest alongside those in [[Mesopotamia]], and continued its existence until the emergence of the Iranian empires. The advent of writing in Elam was parallelled to [[Sumerian language#Writing system|Sumer]]; the [[Elamite cuneiform]] developed beginning in the third millennium BC.<ref>{{Cite web |year=1996 |title=Ancient Scripts:Elamite |url=http://www.ancientscripts.com/elamite.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513235032/http://www.ancientscripts.com/elamite.html |archive-date=13 May 2011 |access-date=28 April 2011}}</ref>

Diverse artifacts from The Bronze Age, huge structures from the Iron Age and various sites dating back to the Sassanid, Parthian and Islamic eras indicated suitable conditions for human civilization over the past 8,000 years in [[Piranshahr]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://newspakistan.tv/8000-years-old-artifacts-unearthed-in-iran/ | title=8,000 years old artifacts unearthed in Iran | date=7 January 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nation.com.pk/08-Jan-2019/8-000-years-old-artifacts-unearthed-in-iran | title=8,000 years old artifacts unearthed in Iran | date=8 January 2019 }}</ref>

From the 34th to the 20th century BC, northwestern Iran was part of the [[Kura-Araxes culture]], which stretched into the neighbouring [[Caucasus]] and [[Anatolia]]. Since the earliest second millennium BC, [[Assyria]]ns settled in swaths of western Iran and incorporated the region into their territories.

=== Ancient Iran ===

{{Main|Medes|l1=Median Empire|Achaemenid Empire|Seleucid Empire|Parthian Empire|Sasanian Empire}}
[[File:اکباتان (2).jpg|alt=Inscription of Ardeshir Babakan (ruling 224–242) in Naqsh-e Rostam|thumb|[[Ecbatana]] (present-day [[Hamadan]]) was chosen as the capital of the [[Medes|Medes Empire]] by [[Deioces]], in 678 BC.]]
By the second millennium BC, the [[List of ancient Iranian peoples|ancient Iranian peoples]] arrived in what is now Iran from the [[Eurasian Steppe]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Basu |first=Dipak |title=Death of the Aryan Invasion Theory |url=http://www.ivarta.com/columns/OL_051212.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029171420/http://www.ivarta.com/columns/OL_051212.htm |archive-date=29 October 2012 |access-date=6 May 2013 |website=iVarta.com}}</ref> rivalling the native settlers of the region.<ref name="Panshin">{{Cite web |last=Cory Panshin |title=The Palaeolithic Indo-Europeans |url=http://www.panshin.com/trogholm/wonder/indoeuropean/indoeuropean3.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629140035/http://www.panshin.com/trogholm/wonder/indoeuropean/indoeuropean3.html |archive-date=29 June 2013 |access-date=21 June 2013 |website=Panshin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Iran (Ethnic Groups) |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Iran |access-date=28 April 2011 |last1=Afary |first1=Janet |last2=Peter William Avery |last3=Khosrow Mostofi}}</ref> As the [[Iranian peoples|Iranians]] dispersed into the wider area of [[Greater Iran]] and beyond, the boundaries of modern Iran were dominated by [[Medes|Median]], [[Persians|Persian]], and [[Parthia]]n tribes.

From the late tenth to the late seventh century BC, the Iranian peoples, together with the "pre-Iranian" kingdoms, fell under the domination of the [[Assyria]]n Empire, based in northern [[Mesopotamia]].<ref name="Georges Roux – Ancient Iraq">{{Cite book |last=Roux, Georges |title=Ancient Iraq |date=1992 |publisher=Penguin Adult |isbn=978-0-14-193825-7 |author-link=Georges Roux}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Bess |date=2019-11-13 |title=What felled the great Assyrian Empire? A Yale professor weighs in |url=https://news.yale.edu/2019/11/13/what-felled-great-assyrian-empire-yale-professor-weighs |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=YaleNews |language=en}}</ref> Under king [[Cyaxares]], the Medes and Persians entered into an alliance with [[Babylonia]]n ruler [[Nabopolassar]], as well as the fellow Iranian [[Scythians]] and [[Cimmerians]], and together they attacked the [[Assyria|Assyrian Empire]]. Civil war ravaged the Assyrian Empire between 616 and 605&nbsp;BC, freeing their respective peoples from three centuries of Assyrian rule.<ref name="Georges Roux – Ancient Iraq" /> The unification of the Median tribes under king [[Deioces]] in 728&nbsp;BC led to the foundation of the [[Medes|Median Empire]] and their capital [[Ecbatana]], which by 612&nbsp;BC, controlled almost the entire territory of present-day Iran and eastern [[Anatolia]].<ref>{{Cite web |year=2001 |title=Median Empire |url=http://www.iranchamber.com/history/median/median.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514024224/http://www.iranchamber.com/history/median/median.php |archive-date=14 May 2011 |access-date=29 April 2011 |publisher=Iran Chamber Society}}</ref> This marked the end of the Kingdom of [[Urartu]], which was subsequently conquered and dissolved.<ref name="Sagona2006">{{Cite book |last=A. G. Sagona |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bW06PE0GRXEC&pg=PA91 |title=The Heritage of Eastern Turkey: From Earliest Settlements to Islam |publisher=Macmillan Education AU |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-876832-05-6 |page=91}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Urartu civilization |url=http://www.allaboutturkey.com/urartu.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701005402/http://www.allaboutturkey.com/urartu.htm |archive-date=1 July 2015 |access-date=26 August 2015 |website=allaboutturkey.com}}</ref>
In 550&nbsp;BC, [[Cyrus the Great]] took over the Median Empire, and founded the [[Achaemenid Empire]] by unifying other city-states. The conquest of Media was a result of what is called the ''[[Persian Revolt]]''. Later conquests under Cyrus and his successors expanded the empire to include [[Lydia]], [[Babylon]], [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]], parts of the [[Balkans]] and [[Eastern Europe]], as well as lands to the west of the [[Indus River|Indus]] and [[Amu Darya|Oxus]] rivers. In 539 BC Persian forces defeated the Babylonian army at [[Opis]], marking the end of around four centuries of Mesopotamian domination of the region by conquering the [[Neo-Babylonian Empire]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Llewellyn-Jones |first=L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JG07EAAAQBAJ |title=Persians: The Age of the Great Kings |publisher=Basic Books |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-5416-0035-5 |page=5}}</ref><ref name="book">{{Cite book |last1=David Sacks |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gsGmuQAACAAJ |title=Encyclopedia of the ancient Greek world |last2=Oswyn Murray |last3=Lisa R. Brody |last4=Oswyn Murray |last5=Lisa R. Brody |publisher=Facts On File |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-8160-5722-1 |pages=256 (at the right portion of the page) |access-date=17 August 2016}}</ref>
{{multiple image|275|275
| align             = right
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| width             = 250
| image1            = Persepolis Panorama 360 Virtual Reality Tachar castle.jpg
| caption1          = [[Persepolis]], the ceremonial capital of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] (550–330 BC). It is one of the key Iranian [[Cultural Heritage]]s.
| image2            = The Achaemenid Empire at its Greatest Extent.jpg
| caption2          = The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest extent, around the time of [[Darius the Great]] and [[Xerxes I]].
| total_width       = 
| alt1              = 
}}
In 518 BC, [[Persepolis]] was founded by [[Darius the Great]] as the ceremonial capital of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] which, at its greatest extent, was the largest empire the world had yet seen,<ref name="book" /> and at its peak it ruled over 44% of the world's population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Largest empire by percentage of world population |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-empire-by-percentage-of-world-population/ |access-date=11 March 2015 |publisher=Guinness World Records}}</ref>
The Achaemenid Empire is noted for the release of the [[Babylonian captivity|Jewish exiles in Babylon]],<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Cyrus the Great |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cyrus-the-Great |access-date=2 November 2018 |language=en |quote=In the Bible (e.g., Ezra 1:1–4), Cyrus is famous for freeing the Jewish captives in Babylonia and allowing them to return to their homeland.}}</ref> building infrastructures such as the [[Royal Road]] and the [[Chapar Khaneh|Chapar]] (postal service), and the use of an [[official language]], [[Imperial Aramaic]].<ref name="book" /> In 334&nbsp;BC, [[Alexander the Great]] defeated the last Achaemenid emperor, [[Darius III]], at the [[Battle of Issus]]. Following the premature death of Alexander, Iran came under the control of the [[Hellenistic period|Hellenistic]] [[Seleucid Empire]].

In the middle of the second century BC, the [[Parthian Empire]] rose to become the main power in Iran, and the century-long geopolitical arch-rivalry between the Romans and the Parthians began, culminating in the [[Roman–Parthian Wars]]. The Parthian Empire continued as a feudal monarchy for nearly five centuries, until 224&nbsp;CE, when it was succeeded by the [[Sasanian Empire]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jakobsson |first=Jens |year=2004 |title=Seleucid Empire |url=http://www.iranchamber.com/history/seleucids/seleucids.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605054515/http://www.iranchamber.com/history/seleucids/seleucids.php |archive-date=5 June 2011 |access-date=29 April 2011 |publisher=Iran Chamber Society}}</ref> They and their neighbouring arch-rival, the [[Roman Empire|Roman]]-[[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]], were the world's two dominant powers for over four centuries.<ref name="Norman A. Stillman p. 22">{{Cite book |last=Stillman, Norman A. |url=https://archive.org/details/jewsofarablands00stil |title=The Jews of Arab Lands |date=1979 |publisher=Jewish Publication Society |isbn=978-0-8276-1155-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/jewsofarablands00stil/page/22 22] |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="Byzantine Studies 2006, p. 29">{{cite book |author1=Jeffreys, Elizabeth |title=Proceedings of the 21st International Congress of Byzantine Studies: London, 21–26 August, 2006, Volume 1 |author2=Haarer, Fiona K. |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-7546-5740-8 |page=29}}</ref>

The [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanians]] established an empire within the frontiers achieved by the Achaemenids, with their capital at [[Ctesiphon]]. Late antiquity is considered one of Iran's most influential periods, as under the Sasanians,<ref name="Sarkhosh2">{{Citation |author1=Sarkhosh Curtis, Vesta |title=Birth of the Persian Empire: The Idea of Iran |date=2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a0IF9IdkdYEC |page=108 |location=London |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-1-84511-062-8 |quote=Similarly the collapse of Sassanian Eranshahr in AD 650 did not end Iranians' national idea. The name 'Iran' disappeared from official records of the Saffarids, Samanids, Buyids, Saljuqs and their successor. But one unofficially used the name Iran, Eranshahr, and similar national designations, particularly Mamalek-e Iran or 'Iranian lands', which exactly translated the old Avestan term Ariyanam Daihunam. On the other hand, when the Safavids (not Reza Shah, as is popularly assumed) revived a national state officially known as Iran, bureaucratic usage in the Ottoman empire and even Iran itself could still refer to it by other descriptive and traditional appellations. |author2=Stewart, Sarah}}</ref> their influence reached [[culture of ancient Rome|ancient Rome]] (and through that as far as [[Western Europe]]),<ref name="J. B. Bury, p. 109">{{cite book |author=Bury, J.B. |title=History of the Later Roman Empire from the Death of Theodosius I. to the Death of Justinian, Part 1 |date=1958 |publisher=[[Dover Publications|Courier Corporation]] |pages=90–92|author-link=J. B. Bury }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Durant, Will |title=The Age of Faith: The Story of Civilization |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |date=2011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cusRoE1OJvEC&q=Repaying+its+debt |quote=Repaying its debt, Sasanian art exported its forms and motives eastward into India, Turkestan, and China, westward into Syria, Asia Minor, Constantinople, the Balkans, Egypt, and Spain.|isbn=978-1-4516-4761-7 }}</ref> [[Culture of Africa|Africa]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transoxiana.com.ar/0104/sasanians.html |title=Transoxiana 04: Sasanians in Africa |publisher=Transoxiana.com.ar |access-date=16 December 2013}}</ref> [[Chinese culture|China]], and [[Culture of India|India]],<ref>{{cite book |author=[[Romesh Chunder Dutt|Dutt, Romesh Chunder]] |author2=[[Vincent Arthur Smith|Smith, Vincent Arthur]] |author3=[[Stanley Lane-Poole|Lane-Poole, Stanley]] |author4=[[Henry Miers Elliot|Elliot, Henry Miers]] |author5=[[William Wilson Hunter|Hunter, William Wilson]] |author6=[[Alfred Comyn Lyall|Lyall, Alfred Comyn]] |title=History of India |volume=2 |date=1906 |publisher=[[Grolier]] Society |page=243}}</ref> and played a prominent role in the formation of the mediaeval art of both [[Medieval art|Europe]] and [[History of Asian art|Asia]].<ref name="Norman A. Stillman p. 22" /><ref name="Byzantine Studies 2006, p. 29" />

=== Mediaeval period ===

{{Main|Muslim conquest of Persia|History of Iran#Medieval period{{!}}Mediaeval Iran|Mongol invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire}}{{multiple image|275|275
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| image1            = Falak -ol - Aflak Castle 1. Khoramabad- Lorestan.jpg
| caption1          = [[Falak-ol-Aflak]] in [[Khorramabad]], built in 240–270 AD during the [[Sasanian Empire]].
| image2            = Sasanian Empire cca. 620 A.D.png
| caption2          = The Sasanian Empire (224-651 AD) in 620 at its greatest extent, under [[Khosrow II]].
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The prolonged [[Byzantine–Sasanian wars]], most importantly the climactic [[Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628|war of 602–628]], as well as the [[Muslim conquest of Persia#Social problems|social conflict within the Sasanian Empire]], opened the way for an Arab invasion in the seventh century.<ref>{{cite book|author=George Liska|title=Expanding Realism: The Historical Dimension of World Politics|year=1998|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Pub Incorporated|isbn=978-0-8476-8680-3|page=170}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Pf_SaxcKAt6VmIl7aNOi_cDPZoGyiAxOSWsOz0EtSSE/embed?size=l&slide=id.g47e99d68c_052 |title=The Rise and Spread of Islam, The Arab Empire of the Umayyads – Weakness of the Adversary Empires |publisher=Occawlonline.pearsoned.com |access-date=30 November 2015}}</ref> The empire was initially defeated by the [[Rashidun Caliphate]], which was succeeded by the [[Umayyad Caliphate]], followed by the [[Abbasid Caliphate]]. A prolonged and gradual process of state-imposed [[Islamization of Iran|Islamization]] followed, which targeted Iran's then [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] majority and included religious persecution,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1353/pew.2002.0030 |last=Stepaniants |first=Marietta |title=The Encounter of Zoroastrianism with Islam |journal=Philosophy East and West |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=159–172 |publisher=University of Hawai'i Press |year=2002 |issn=0031-8221 |jstor=1399963|s2cid=201748179 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Boyce|first=Mary |year=2001 |title=Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a6gbxVfjtUEC |edition=2 |location=New York |page=252 |publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul |isbn=978-0-415-23902-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1= Meri |first1=Josef W. |last2=Bacharach |first2=Jere L. |title=Medieval Islamic Civilization: L-Z, index |series=Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2006 |edition=illustrated |volume=II |page=878 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LaV-IGZ8VKIC&pg=PP1 |isbn=978-0-415-96692-4}}</ref> demolition of libraries<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/history/persia_1.shtml#h4 |title=Under Persian rule|publisher=BBC|access-date=16 December 2009}}</ref> and fire temples,<ref name="khan29">{{cite book |last=Khanbaghi |first=Aptin |title=The Fire, the Star and the Cross: Minority Religions in Medieval and Early Modern Iran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7iAbUEaXnfEC |page=268 |year=2006 |edition=reprint |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-1-84511-056-7}}</ref> a special tax penalty ("[[jizya]]"),<ref name="Hashemi2008">{{cite book |author=Kamran Hashemi |title=Religious Legal Traditions, International Human Rights Law and Muslim States |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yj-MrJ_tOk4C&pg=PA142 |year=2008 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-16555-7 |page=142}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Suha Rassam |title=Iraq: Its Origins and Development to the Present Day |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GYC93sfHXAEC&pg=PA77 |year=2005 |publisher=Gracewing Publishing |isbn=978-0-85244-633-1 |page=77}}</ref> and language shift.<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Cambridge University Press|editor=Frye, Richard N.|editor-link=Richard N. Frye|author-link=Abdolhossein Zarrinkoob|author=Zarrinkub,'Abd Al-Husain |title=Cambridge History of Iran|chapter=The Arab Conquest of Iran and Its Aftermath |volume=4 |date=1975 |location=London |page=46|isbn=978-0-521-20093-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Spuler |first=Bertold |title=A History of the Muslim World: The age of the caliphs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bGqTkLUslDEC&pg=PP1 |page=138 |year=1994 |edition=Illustrated |publisher=Markus Wiener Publishers |isbn=978-1-55876-095-0}}</ref>

In 750, the [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasids]] overthrew the [[Umayyad Caliphate|Umayyads.]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Islamic History: The Abbasid Dynasty |publisher=Religion Facts |url=http://www.religionfacts.com/abbasid-caliphate |access-date=30 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907175311/http://www.religionfacts.com/abbasid-caliphate |archive-date=7 September 2015}}</ref> Arabs Muslims and Persians of all strata made up the rebel army, which was united by the converted Persian Muslim, [[Abu Muslim]].<ref name=wsu>{{cite web| last= Hooker| first= Richard| title= The Abbasid Dynasty| publisher= Washington State University| year= 1996| url= http://public.wsu.edu/~dee/ISLAM/ABASSID.HTM| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629114400/http://public.wsu.edu/~dee/ISLAM/ABASSID.HTM| archive-date= 29 June 2011| access-date= 17 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Joel Carmichael|title=The Shaping of the Arabs|url=https://archive.org/details/shapingofarabs0000carm|url-access=registration|access-date=21 June 2013|quote=Abu Muslim, the Persian general and popular leader|year=1967|page=[https://archive.org/details/shapingofarabs0000carm/page/235 235]|publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-0-02-521420-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Frye|first=Richard Nelson|title=Iran|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ZkfAAAAIAAJ|access-date=23 June 2013|edition=2, revised|year=1960|publisher=G. Allen & Unwin|page=47|quote=A Persian Muslim called Abu Muslim.}}</ref> In their struggle for power, society gradually became cosmopolitan. Persians and Turks began to replace Arabs in most fields. A hierarchy of officials emerged, a bureaucracy at first Persian and later [[Turkic peoples|Turkish]] which decreased Abbasid prestige and power for good.<ref name="Mahmud1988">{{cite book|author=Sayyid Fayyaz Mahmud|title=A Short History of Islam|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1988|isbn=978-0-19-577384-2|page=125}}</ref>{{multiple image|275|275
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| image1            = Persepolis Panorama 360 Virtual Reality Tachar castle.jpg
| caption1          = [[Persepolis]], the ceremonial capital of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] (550–330 BC). It is one of the key Iranian [[Cultural Heritage]]s.
| image2            = The Achaemenid Empire at its Greatest Extent.jpg
| caption2          = The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest extent, around the time of [[Darius the Great]] and [[Xerxes I]].
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{{multiple image|275|275
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| image1            = Persepolis Panorama 360 Virtual Reality Tachar castle.jpg
| caption1          = [[Persepolis]], the ceremonial capital of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] (550–330 BC). It is one of the key Iranian [[Cultural Heritage]]s.
| image2            = The Achaemenid Empire at its Greatest Extent.jpg
| caption2          = The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest extent, around the time of [[Darius the Great]] and [[Xerxes I]].
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}}

After two centuries of Arab rule, [[Iranian Intermezzo|semi-independent and independent Iranian kingdoms]]—including the [[Tahirid dynasty|Tahirids]], [[Saffarid dynasty|Saffarids]], [[Sajid dynasty|Sajids]], [[Samanid Empire|Samanids]], [[Ziyarid dynasty|Ziyarids]], [[Buyid dynasty|Buyids]], [[Sallarid dynasty|Sallarids]], [[Rawadid dynasty|Rawadids]], [[Marwanids (Diyar Bakr)|Marwanids]], [[Shaddadids]], [[Kakuyids]], [[Annazids]] and [[Hasanwayhids]]—began to appear on the fringes of the declining [[Abbasid Caliphate]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Iraq – History {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Iraq/History |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> The period, known as the Iranian Intermezzo, was an interlude between the decline of Abbasid rule and power by Arabs and the "[[Sunni Revival]]" with the 11th-century emergence of the [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuqs]]. The Iranian revival most significantly a revived Iranian national spirit and culture in an Islamic form. They also focused on reviving the [[Persian language]], significantly [[Shahnameh]], the national epic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-06 |title=Ferdowsi and the Ethics of Persian Literature |url=https://library.unc.edu/give/windows-donor-stories/ferdowsi/#:~:text=Through%2060%2C000%20lines%20of%20poetry,invasion%20of%20the%20Persian%20Empire.&text=and%20revived%20the%20Persian%20nationality%20with%20the%20PARSI%20language.%E2%80%9D&text=%E2%80%9CThose%20who%20have%20knowledge%2C%20art,worry%20if%20they%20lack%20treasure%3F%E2%80%9D |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=UNC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Shahnameh: a Literary Masterpiece |url=https://shahnameh.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/literary |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Shahnameh: a Persian Cultural Emblem and a Timeless Masterpiece |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shahnameh Ferdowsi |url=http://shahnameh.eu/ferdowsi.html |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=shahnameh.eu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-15 |title=Iran marks National Day of Ferdowsi |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/200711/Iran-marks-National-Day-of-Ferdowsi |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref>

{{multiple image|245|245
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| image1            = Tomb-of-Ferdowsi آرامگاه-فردوسی Davoud-Davoudi 1.jpg
| caption1          = [[Tomb of Ferdowsi]], a 10th-century AD Persian poet and the author of [[Shahnameh]], the national epic of Iran.
| image2            = Saadi Tomb.jpg
| caption2          = [[Tomb of Saadi]], an influential 13th-century AD Persian poet of the Mediaeval period.
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The blossoming [[Persian literature|literature]], [[Iranian philosophy|philosophy]], [[Islamic Golden Age#Mathematics|mathematics]], [[Ancient Iranian medicine|medicine]], [[Islamic Golden Age#Astronomy|astronomy]] and [[Persian art|art]] became major elements in a new age for Iranian civilization, during a period known as the [[Islamic Golden Age]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Richard G. Hovannisian|author2=Georges Sabagh|title=The Persian Presence in the Islamic World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=39XZDnOWUXsC&pg=PA7|year=1998|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-59185-0|page=7|quote=The Golden age of Islam [...] attributable, in no small measure, to the vital participation of Persian men of letters, philosophers, theologians, grammarians, mathematicians, musicians, astronomers, geographers, and physicians}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Bernard Lewis|title=From Babel to Dragomans : Interpreting the Middle East: Interpreting the Middle East|url=https://archive.org/details/frombabeltodrago00lewi|url-access=registration|access-date=21 June 2013|quote=...{{nbsp}}the Iranian contribution to this new Islamic civilization is of immense importance.|date=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-803863-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/frombabeltodrago00lewi/page/44 44]}}</ref> The Islamic Golden Age reached its peak by the 10th and 11th centuries, during which Iran was the main theatre of scientific activities.<ref name="rnfrye">{{cite book|author=Richard Nelson Frye|title=The Cambridge History of Iran|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hvx9jq_2L3EC&pg=PA396|access-date=21 June 2013|volume=4|year=1975|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-20093-6|page=396}}</ref> The tenth century saw a mass migration of [[Turkic tribal confederations|Turkic tribes]] from [[Central Asia]] into the Iranian Plateau.<ref name="thePersians">{{cite book|author=Gene R. Garthwaite|title=The Persians |date=2008|publisher=Wiley|isbn=978-1-4051-4400-1}}</ref> Turkic tribesmen were first used in the Abbasid army as [[mamluk]]s (slave-warriors).<ref name="wsu" /> As a result, the [[Mamluk]]s gained significant political power. In 999, large portions of Iran came briefly under the rule of the [[Ghaznavids]], and longer subsequently under the [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuk]] and [[Anushtegin dynasty|Khwarezmian]] empires.<ref name="thePersians" /> The Seljuks subsequently gave rise to the [[Sultanate of Rum]] in Anatolia.<ref>Sigfried J. de Laet. [https://books.google.com/books?id=PvlthkbFU1UC&pg=PA734 ''History of Humanity: From the seventh to the sixteenth century''] UNESCO, 1994. {{ISBN|92-3-102813-8}} p. 734</ref><ref>Ga ́bor A ́goston, Bruce Alan Masters. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QjzYdCxumFcC&pg=PA322 ''Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire''] Infobase Publishing, 2009 {{ISBN|1-4381-1025-1}} p. 322</ref> The result of the adoption and patronage of Persian culture by Turkish rulers was the development of a distinct [[Turco-Persian tradition]].

From 1219 to 1221, under the Khwarazmian Empire, Iran suffered [[Mongol conquest of the Khwarazmian Empire|a devastating invasion]] by the [[Mongol Empire]]. According to Steven R. Ward, "[[Mongol invasions and conquests|Mongol violence and depredations]] killed up to three-fourths of the population of the Iranian Plateau, possibly 10 to 15 million people. Some historians have estimated that Iran's population did not again reach its pre-Mongol levels until the mid-20th century."<ref name="Immortal">{{cite book|author=Steven R. Ward|title=Immortal: A Military History of Iran and Its Armed Forces|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8eUTLaaVOOQC&pg=PA39|year=2009|publisher=Georgetown University Press|isbn=978-1-58901-587-6|page=39}}</ref> Most modern historians either outright dismiss or are highly skeptical of such statistics and deem them to be exaggerations by Muslim chroniclers of that era. Indeed, as far as the Iranian plateau was concerned, the bulk of the Mongol onslaught and battles were in the northeast of what is modern-day Iran, such as in the cities of [[Nishapur]] and [[Tus, Iran|Tus]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Iran|title=Iran – The Mongol invasion|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|date=3 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://iranicaonline.org/|title=Welcome to Encyclopaedia Iranica|first=Encyclopaedia Iranica|last=Foundation|website=iranicaonline.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-royal-asiatic-society/article/abs/cambridge-history-of-iran-vol-v-the-saljuq-and-mongol-periods-edited-by-j-a-boyle-pp-xiii-762-16-pl-cambridge-university-press-1968-375/500FB3BC61352E3DF36AE63FD5D4CA16|doi=10.1017/S0035869X0012965X|title=The Cambridge history of Iran. Vol. V: The Saljuq and Mongol periods. Edited by J. A. Boyle, pp. Xiii, 762, 16 pl. Cambridge University Press, 1968. £3.75.|year=1972|last1=Beckingham|first1=C. F.|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland|volume=104|pages=68–69| s2cid=161828080}}</ref>

Following the fracture of the Mongol Empire in 1256, [[Hulagu Khan]] established the [[Ilkhanate|Ilkhanate Empire]] in Iran. In 1357, the capital [[Tabriz]] was occupied by the [[Golden Horde]] khan [[Jani Beg]] and the centralised power collapsed, resulting in the emergence of rivalling dynasties. In 1370, yet another conqueror, [[Timur]], took control over Persia, establishing the [[Timurid Empire]]. In 1387, Timur ordered the complete massacre of [[Isfahan]], reportedly killing 70,000 citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Irans-Hidden-Jewel.html?c=y&page=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717113459/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Irans-Hidden-Jewel.html?c=y&page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2010 |title=Isfahan: Iran's Hidden Jewel |publisher=Smithsonianmag.com |access-date=21 June 2013 }}</ref>

=== Early modern period ===
==== Safavids ====

{{Main|Safavid Iran|Portuguese–Safavid wars|Ottoman–Persian Wars}}
[[File:Shah Ismail A.jpg|thumb|[[Ismail I]], the founder of [[Safavid Iran|Safavid Empire]]|250x250px]]
By the 1500s, [[Ismail I]] established the [[Safavid Iran|Safavid Empire]],<ref>{{cite book |first=Jackson J. |last=Spielvogel |title=World History, Volume I |date=2008 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-0-495-56902-2 |page=466 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=arxyJC05vScC&pg=PT498}}</ref><ref name="Andrew J. Newman 2006" /> with his capital at [[Tabriz]].<ref name="thePersians" /> Beginning with [[Azerbaijan (Iran)|Azerbaijan]], he extended his authority over the Iranian territories, and established an intermittent Iranian hegemony over large parts of [[Greater Iran]].<ref>''Why is there such confusion about the origins of this important dynasty, which reasserted Iranian identity and established an independent Iranian state after eight and a half centuries of rule by foreign dynasties?'' RM Savory, ''Iran under the Safavids'' (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1980), p. 3.</ref> Iran was predominantly [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]],<ref name="Abdullah2014">{{cite book|author=Thabit Abdullah|title=A Short History of Iraq |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ObeOAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT56|date=12 May 2014|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-317-86419-6|page=56}}</ref> but Ismail instigated [[Safavid conversion of Iran to Shia Islam|a forced conversion]] to the [[Shia Islam|Shia]] branch.<ref name="BBCReligion">{{cite web| title= Safavid Empire (1501–1722)| work= BBC Religion| date= 7 September 2009| url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/safavidempire_1.shtml| access-date= 20 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="Andrew J. Newman 2006">{{cite book |author=Andrew J. Newman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=afsYCq1XOewC |title=Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire |date=2006 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-1-86064-667-6 |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="savoryeiref">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Safavids |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]] |edition=2nd |author=Savory, R. M.}}</ref><ref name="Sarkhosh">{{Citation |author1=Sarkhosh Curtis, Vesta |author2=Stewart, Sarah |date=2005 |title=Birth of the Persian Empire: The Idea of Iran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a0IF9IdkdYEC |publisher=I.B. Tauris |location=London |page=108 |quote=Similarly the collapse of Sassanian Eranshahr in AD 650 did not end Iranians' national idea. The name 'Iran' disappeared from official records of the Saffarids, Samanids, Buyids, Saljuqs and their successor. But one unofficially used the name Iran, Eranshahr, and similar national designations, particularly Mamalek-e Iran or 'Iranian lands', which exactly translated the old Avestan term Ariyanam Daihunam. On the other hand, when the Safavids (not Reza Shah, as is popularly assumed) revived a national state officially known as Iran, bureaucratic usage in the Ottoman empire and even Iran itself could still refer to it by other descriptive and traditional appellations.|isbn=978-1-84511-062-8 }}</ref> As a result, Iran is the only official Shia nation, with it holding an absolute majority in Iran and the Republic of [[Azerbaijan]].<ref>Juan Eduardo Campo, ''Encyclopedia of Islam'', p.625</ref><ref name="books.google.com.au">{{cite book|author=Shirin Akiner|title=The Caspian: Politics, Energy and Security |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N8IKR0oqdRkC&pg=PA158|year=2004|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-203-64167-5|page=158}}</ref>

The relationship between the Safavids and the West begins with the presence of the Portuguese in the Persian Gulf from the 16th century, oscillating between alliances and open war between the 17th and 18th century. The Safavid era saw the start of mass integration from [[Peoples of the Caucasus|Caucasian populations]] and their mass resettlement within the heartlands of Iran. In 1588, [[Abbas the Great]] came to the throne during a troubled period. Under his leadership, Iran developed the [[ghilman]] system where thousands of [[Circassians|Circassian]], [[Georgians|Georgian]], and [[Armenians|Armenian]] slave-soldiers joined the civil administration and the military. With the help of these newly created layers in Iranian society, Abbas eclipsed the power of the Qizilbash in the civil administration, the royal house, and the military. Abbas was a great builder and moved his capital from [[Qazvin]] to [[Isfahan]], making the city the pinnacle of Safavid architecture. [[Tabriz]] was returned to Iran after 18 years of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule. In his later years, following a court intrigue involving several leading Circassians, Abbas became suspicious of his own sons and had them killed or blinded. Following a gradual decline in the late 1600s and the early 1700s, which was caused by internal conflicts, the continuous wars with the Ottomans, and the foreign interference (most notably Russian), the Safavid rule was ended by the [[Hotak dynasty|Pashtun rebels]] who besieged Isfahan and defeated [[Soltan Hoseyn]] in 1722.

==== Afsharids ====
{{Main|Afsharid Iran|Afsharid dynasty}}
[[File:Revised Map of the Afsharid Empire.png|thumb|upright=1.1|The [[Afsharid Empire]] at its greatest extent in 1741–1745 under [[Nader Shah|Nader Shah Afshar.]]|left]]
In 1729, [[Nader Shah]] successfully drove out and conquered the Pashtun invaders. He took back the annexed Caucasian territories which [[Treaty of Constantinople (1724)|were divided]] among the Ottoman and [[Russian Empire|Russian]] authorities by the ongoing chaos in Iran. During the reign of Nader Shah, Iran reached its greatest extent since the Sasanian Empire, reestablishing Iranian hegemony over the [[Caucasus]], as well as other major parts of [[West Asia|west]] and [[central Asia]], and briefly possessing arguably the most powerful empire at the time.<ref name="books.google.nl">{{cite book |last=Axworthy |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9o0AAwAAQBAJ |title=The Sword of Persia: Nader Shah, from Tribal Warrior to Conquering Tyrant |date=2006 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-0-85772-193-8 |pages=xv, 284 |author-link=Michael Axworthy}}</ref>{{sfn|Fisher|Avery|Hambly|Melville|1991|pp=329–330}}<ref name="Timothy C. Dowling pp. 728-730">{{cite book |author=Dowling, Timothy C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ |title=Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-59884-948-6 |pages=728–730}}</ref><ref name="books.google.nl" />

Nader Shah [[Nader Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire|invaded India and sacked Delhi]] by the late 1730s. His territorial expansion and military successes declined following the final [[Nader's Dagestan campaign|campaigns in the Northern Caucasus]] against then revolting [[Lezgins]]. The assassination of Nader Shah sparked a brief period of civil war and turmoil, after which [[Karim Khan Zand|Karim Khan]] of the [[Zand dynasty]] came to power in 1750.<ref name=Immortal />

==== Zands ====

{{Main|Zand dynasty|Zand (tribe)|Ottoman–Persian War (1775–1776)}}
{{See also|Bani Utbah invasion of Bahrain|Siege of Kerman}}
[[File:Mapofthezands1776.png|thumb|The [[Zand dynasty|Zand Empire]] at its greatest extent, under [[Karim Khan Zand|Karim Khan]] (1751–1779)]]
Compared to its preceding dynasties, the geopolitical reach of the Zand dynasty was limited. Many of the Iranian territories in the Caucasus gained de facto autonomy and were locally ruled through [[Khanates of the Caucasus|Caucasian khanates]]. However, they remained [[commoner|subjects]] and vassals to the Zand king. It later quickly expanded to include much of the rest of contemporary Iran (except for the provinces of [[Sistan and Baluchestan Province|Balochistan]] and [[Khorasan Province|Khorasan]]) as well as parts of [[Iraq]]. The lands of present-day [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] were controlled by khanates which were [[de jure]] part of the Zand realm, but the region was [[de facto]] autonomous.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Perry |first=John R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_eaEDwAAQBAJ |title=Karim Khan Zand: A History of Iran, 1747-1779 |date=2015-05-14 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-66102-5 |language=en}}</ref> The island of [[Bahrain]] was also held for the Zands by the autonomous [[Nasr Al-Madhkur|Al-Mazkur sheikhdom]] of [[Bushehr|Bushire]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Floor |first=Willem M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xZWiIAAACAAJ |title=The Persian Gulf: The Rise of the Gulf Arabs : the Politics of Trade on the Persian Littoral, 1747-1792 |date=2007 |publisher=Mage Publishers |isbn=978-1-933823-18-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>Encyclopedia of Soviet law By Ferdinand Joseph Maria Feldbrugge, Gerard Pieter van den Berg, William B. Simons, Page 457</ref> The reign of its most important ruler, [[Karim Khan Zand|Karim Khan]], was marked by prosperity and peace. With his capital in [[Shiraz]], arts and architecture flourished, with some themes in architecture being revived from the nearby sites of the Achaemenid and Sasanian era's of pre-Islamic Iran. Another civil war ensued after the death of Karim Khan in 1779, out of which [[Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar|Agha Mohammad Khan]] emerged, founding the [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar Empire]] in 1794.

==== Qajars ====
{{Main|Qajar Iran|Qajar dynasty}}
[[File:Map Iran 1900-en.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Map of Iran under the [[Qajar Iran|Qajar Empire]] in the 19th century, the international borders of today's Iran. |left]]
[[Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar|Agha Mohammad Khan]]'s reign is noted for the return of a centralized and unified Iran and for relocating the capital to [[Tehran]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-25 |title=The Qajars |url=https://iranologie.com/the-history-page/the-qajars/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Iranologie.com |language=en}}</ref> In 1795, following the disobedience of the [[Georgians|Georgian]] subjects and their [[Treaty of Georgievsk|alliance with the Russians]], the Qajars captured [[Tbilisi]] by the [[Battle of Krtsanisi]], and drove the Russians out of the Caucasus, reestablishing Iranian [[suzerainty]] over the region. The Russo-Iranian wars of [[Russo-Persian War (1804–1813)|1804–1813]] and [[Russo-Persian War (1826–1828)|1826–1828]] resulted in large territorial losses for Iran in the Caucasus, comprising all of the [[South Caucasus]] and [[Dagestan]].{{sfn|Fisher|Avery|Hambly|Melville|1991|pp=329–330}} As a result of the 19th-century Russo-Iranian wars, the Russians took over Iran's integral territories in the region (comprising modern-day Dagestan, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Armenia]], and [[Azerbaijan|Republic of Azerbaijan]]), which was confirmed per the treaties of [[Treaty of Gulistan|Gulistan]] and [[Treaty of Turkmenchay|Turkmenchay]].<ref name="Timothy C. Dowling pp. 728-730" /><ref>Farrokh, Kaveh. Iran at War: 1500–1988. {{ISBN|1-78096-221-5}}</ref><ref name="Swietochowski Borderland">{{cite book |last=Swietochowski|first=Tadeusz |author-link= Tadeusz Swietochowski |year=1995|title=Russia and Azerbaijan: A Borderland in Transition|pages= 69, 133 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |isbn=978-0-231-07068-3 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qj-UAgAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=L. Batalden|first=Sandra |year=1997|title=The newly independent states of Eurasia: handbook of former Soviet republics|page= 98 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WFjPAxhBEaEC|isbn=978-0-89774-940-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Ebel, Robert E.|author2=Menon, Rajan |year=2000|title=Energy and conflict in Central Asia and the Caucasus|page=181 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-sCpf26vBZ0C |isbn=978-0-7425-0063-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Andreeva|first=Elena |year=2010 |title=Russia and Iran in the great game: travelogues and orientalism|page= 6 |edition= reprint |publisher=Taylor & Francis | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FfRYRwAACAAJ |isbn=978-0-415-78153-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Çiçek, Kemal|author2=Kuran, Ercüment |year=2000|title=The Great Ottoman-Turkish Civilisation |publisher=University of Michigan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c5VpAAAAMAAJ |isbn=978-975-6782-18-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Ernest Meyer, Karl |author2=Blair Brysac |author3= Shareen |year=2006|title=Tournament of Shadows: The Great Game and the Race for Empire in Central Asia|page= 66 |publisher=Basic Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FPBn2KZWNuMC |isbn=978-0-465-04576-1}}</ref>

The weakening of Persia made it a victim of the colonial struggle between Russia and Britain known as the [[Great Game]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gozalova |first=Nigar |date=2023 |title=Qajar Iran at the centre of British–Russian confrontation in the 1820s |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/457/article/874972 |journal=The Maghreb Review |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=89–99 |doi=10.1353/tmr.2023.0003 |s2cid=255523192 |issn=2754-6772}}</ref> Especially after the treaty of Turkmenchay, Russia was the dominant force in Iran,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Deutschmann |first=Moritz |date=2013 |title="All Rulers are Brothers": Russian Relations with the Iranian Monarchy in the Nineteenth Century |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24482848 |journal=Iranian Studies |volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=401–413 |doi=10.1080/00210862.2012.759334 |issn=0021-0862 |jstor=24482848 |s2cid=143785614 |access-date=19 May 2022 |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519022824/https://www.jstor.org/stable/24482848 |url-status=live }}</ref> while the Qajars would also play a role in several 'Great Game' battles such as the sieges of Herat in [[Siege of Herat (1837–1838)|1837]] and [[Siege of Herat (1856)|1856]]. As Iran shrank, many [[South Caucasus|South Caucasian]] and [[North Caucasus|North Caucasian]] Muslims moved towards Iran,<ref name="Mansoori">{{cite book|last=Mansoori|first=Firooz|title=Studies in History, Language and Culture of Azerbaijan|year=2008|publisher=Hazar-e Kerman|location=Tehran|isbn=978-600-90271-1-8|page=245|chapter=17|language=fa}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">А. Г. Булатова. Лакцы (XIX — нач. XX вв.). Историко-этнографические очерки. — Махачкала, 2000.</ref> especially until the aftermath of the [[Circassian genocide]],<ref name="ReferenceA" /> and the decades afterwards, while Iran's Armenians were encouraged to settle in the newly incorporated Russian territories,<ref>"Griboedov not only extended protection to those Caucasian captives who sought to go home but actively promoted the return of even those who did not volunteer. Large numbers of Georgian and Armenian captives had lived in Iran since 1804 or as far back as 1795." Fisher, William Bayne; Avery, Peter; Gershevitch, Ilya; Hambly, Gavin; Melville, Charles. ''The Cambridge History of Iran'', Cambridge University Press – 1991. p. 339</ref><ref>{{in lang|ru}} [http://feb-web.ru/feb/griboed/texts/piks3/3_4_v3.htm A. S. Griboyedov. "Записка о переселеніи армянъ изъ Персіи въ наши области"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113142046/http://feb-web.ru/feb/griboed/texts/piks3/3_4_v3.htm |date=13 January 2016 }}, Фундаментальная Электронная Библиотека</ref><ref>Bournoutian. ''Armenian People'', p. 105</ref> causing significant demographic shifts. Around 1.5&nbsp;million people—20 to 25% of the population of Iran—died as a result of the [[Persian famine of 1870–1872|Great Famine of 1870–1872]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Yeroushalmi |first=David |title=The Jews of Iran in the Nineteenth Century: Aspects of History, Community |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYlGS3s3zTQC&pg=PA327 |publisher=Brill |year=2009 |page=327 |isbn=978-90-04-15288-5}}</ref>

==== Constitutional Revolution ====
{{Main|Persian Constitutional Revolution|1st Iranian Majlis}}
[[File:Parliamenttehran1906.jpg|thumb|The [[Baharestan|first national Iranian Parliament]] was established in 1906 during the [[Persian Constitutional Revolution]].]]Between 1872 and 1905, protesters objected to the sale of [[Concession (contract)|concessions]] to foreigners by Qajar monarchs [[Naser al-Din Shah Qajar|Naser-ed-Din]] and [[Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar|Mozaffar-ed-Din]], leading to the [[Persian Constitutional Revolution|Constitutional Revolution]] in 1905. The [[Persian Constitution of 1906|first Iranian constitution]] and the first national parliament were founded in 1906, through the ongoing revolution. The Constitution included the official recognition of Iran's three religious minorities: [[Christianity in Iran|Christians]], [[Persian Jews|Jews]], and [[Zoroastrians in Iran|Zoroastrians]].<ref name="Colin Brock p 99">Colin Brock, Lila Zia Levers. [https://books.google.com/books?id=rOJsCQAAQBAJ ''Aspects of Education in the Middle East and Africa''] Symposium Books Ltd., 7 mei 2007 {{ISBN|1-873927-21-5}} p. 99</ref> The struggle related to the constitutional movement was followed by the [[Triumph of Tehran]] in 1909, when [[Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar|Mohammad Ali Shah]] was forced to abdicate. In 1907, the [[Anglo-Russian Convention]] divided Qajar Iran into influence zones, formalising many of the concessions. On the pretext of restoring order, the [[Russian involvement in the Persian Constitutional Revolution|Russians occupied northern Iran]] and [[Russian occupation of Tabriz|Tabriz]] and maintained a military presence in the region for years. But this did not end the civil uprisings and was soon followed by [[Mirza Kuchik Khan]]'s [[Jungle Movement of Gilan|Jungle Movement]] against both the Qajar monarchy and foreign invaders.

Despite Iran's neutrality during [[World War I]], the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]], [[Russian Empire|Russian]], and [[British Empire]]s occupied western Iran and fought the [[Persian campaign (World War I)|Persian campaign]] before fully withdrawing their forces in 1921. At least 2 million Persian civilians died in the fighting, the [[Armenian genocide|Ottoman-perpetrated anti-Christian genocides]] or the war-induced [[Persian famine of 1917–1919|famine of 1917–1919]]. A large number of [[Assyrians in Iran|Iranian Assyrian]] and [[Iranian Armenians|Iranian Armenian]] Christians, as well as those Muslims who tried to protect them, were victims of mass murders committed by the invading [[Military of the Ottoman Empire|Ottoman troops]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Ryan |last=Gingeras |title=Fall of the Sultanate: The Great War and the End of the Ottoman Empire 1908–1922 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sGyMCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 |access-date=18 June 2016 |year=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press, Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-166358-1 |page=166 |quote=By January, Ottoman regulars and cavalry detachments associated with the old Hamidiye had seized the towns of Urmia, Khoy, and Salmas. Demonstrations of resistance by local Christians, comprising Armenians, Nestorians, Syriacs, and Assyrians, led Ottoman forces to massacre civilians and torch villages throughout the border region of Iran.}}</ref><ref name="Kevorkian2011">{{cite book |first=Raymond |last=Kevorkian |author-link=Raymond Kévorkian |title=The Armenian Genocide: A Complete History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mZ33AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA710 |access-date=18 June 2016 |year=2011 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-0-85773-020-6 |page=710 |quote='In retaliation, we killed the Armenians of Khoy, and I gave the order to massacre the Armenians of Maku.'{{nbsp}}... Without distorting the facts, one can affirm that the centuries-old Armenian presence in the regions of Urmia, Salmast, Qaradagh, and Maku had been dealt a blow from which it would never recover.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Yeghiayan |editor1-first=Vartkes |title=British Foreign Office Dossiers on Turkish War Criminals |date=1991 |publisher=American Armenian International College |quote=...{{nbsp}}Assyrians who were killed in Khoy, some 700 Armenian residents of Khoy were also massacred at the same time, June 1918.}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite book |first=Richard G. |last=Hovannisian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K3monyE4CVQC |title=The Armenian Genocide: Cultural and Ethical Legacies |pages=270–271 |publisher=Transaction Publishers |date=2011 |isbn=978-1-4128-3592-3}}</ref><ref name="Alexander Laban Hinton p. 117">{{cite book |first1=Alexander Laban |last1=Hinton |first2=Thomas |last2=La Pointe |first3=Douglas |last3=Irvin-Erickson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtcyAgAAQBAJ |title=Hidden Genocides: Power, Knowledge, Memory |page=117 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |date=2013 |isbn=978-0-8135-6164-6}}</ref>

Apart from the rule of Agha Mohammad Khan, the Qajar rule is characterised as misrule.<ref name=thePersians /> The inability of [[Qajar Iran]]'s government to maintain the country's [[sovereignty]] during and immediately after World War I led to the British-directed [[1921 Persian coup d'état]] and [[Reza Shah]]'s establishment of the [[Pahlavi dynasty]]. Reza Shah became [[List of Prime Ministers of Iran|Prime Minister]] and was declared monarch in 1925.

==== Pahlavis ====
{{Main|Pahlavi Iran|Pahlavi dynasty}}
{{See also|Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran|White Revolution}}
[[File:Teheran conference-1943.jpg|thumb|232x232px|The "[[Allies of World War II|Big Three]]" at the [[Tehran Conference]] in November 1943, [[Winston Churchill]], [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and [[Joseph Stalin]].]]
During [[World War II]], in July and August 1941 the British demanded that the Iranian government expel all Germans. Reza Shah refused and on 25 August 1941, the British and Soviets launched a [[Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran|surprise invasion]]; Reza Shah's government quickly surrendered.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yPf_f7skJUYC |title=Iran: A Country Study|author=Glenn E. Curtis |author2=Eric Hooglund|isbn=978-0-8444-1187-3|page=30|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=2008}}</ref> The invasion's strategic purpose was to secure a [[supply line]] to the USSR (later named the [[Persian Corridor]]), secure the oil fields and [[Abadan Refinery]] (of the UK-owned [[Anglo-Iranian Oil Company]]), prevent a German advance on Baku's oil fields, and limit German influence in Iran. Following the invasion, on 16 September 1941 Reza Shah abdicated and was replaced by [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]].<ref name="Farrokh 03">{{cite book|last= Farrokh|first= Kaveh|title= Iran at War: 1500–1988|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dUHhTPdJ6yIC|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150320174036/http://books.google.com/books?id=dUHhTPdJ6yIC|url-status= dead|archive-date= 20 March 2015|isbn= 978-1-78096-221-4|date= 2011|publisher= Osprey Publishing Limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=07o_BAAAQBAJ | title =An Introduction to the Modern Middle East: History, Religion, Political Economy, Politics | author =David S. Sorenson | isbn =978-0-8133-4922-0 | page =206 | publisher =Westview Press | year =2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=2h_Jfg1xRYEC | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20171012080734/https://books.google.com/books?id=2h_Jfg1xRYEC | url-status =dead | archive-date =12 October 2017 | title =Iran: Foreign Policy & Government Guide | isbn =978-0-7397-9354-1 | page =53 | publisher =International Business Publications | year =2009 }}</ref>
Iran became [[Persian Corridor|a major conduit]] for [[Lend-Lease|British and American aid]] to the Soviet Union and an avenue through which [[Evacuation of Polish civilians from the USSR in World War II#Iran and the Middle East|over 120,000 Polish refugees]] and [[Anders' Army|Polish Armed Forces]] fled the Axis advance.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/persian/chapter01.htm#b1 |title=United States Army in World War II the Middle East Theater the Persian Corridor and Aid to Russia|author=T.H. Vail Motter |publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]]|year=1952|access-date=15 November 2016 |archive-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223171845/http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/persian/chapter01.htm#b1|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the 1943 [[Tehran Conference]], the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] "Big Three"—[[Joseph Stalin]], [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], and [[Winston Churchill]]—issued the [[Tehran Conference#Three powers come together|Tehran Declaration]] to guarantee the post-war independence and boundaries of Iran. However, at the end of the war, Soviet troops established two puppet states in north-western Iran: the [[Azerbaijan People's Government|People's Government of Azerbaijan]] and the [[Republic of Mahabad]]. This led to the [[Iran crisis of 1946]], one of the first confrontations of the [[Cold War]], which ended after oil concessions were promised to the USSR and Soviet forces withdrew in May 1946. The two puppet states were soon overthrown, and the oil concessions were later revoked.<ref>Louise Fawcett, "Revisiting the Iranian Crisis of 1946: How Much More Do We Know?" ''Iranian Studies'' 47#3 (2014): 379–399.</ref><ref>Gary R. Hess, "The Iranian Crisis of 1945–46 and the Cold War." ''Political Science Quarterly'' 89#1 (1974): 117–146. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160215211023/http://azargoshnasp.com/recent_history/atoor/theiraniancriris194546.pdf online]</ref>

=== 1951–1978: Mosaddegh, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ===

{{Main|Nationalization of the Iranian oil industry|1953 Iranian coup d'état}}
[[File:Mossadeghmohammad.jpg|thumb|[[Mohammad Mosaddegh]], who [[Nationalization of the Iranian oil industry|nationalized the oil industry of Iran]] in 1951. |left|250x250px]]
In 1951, [[Mohammad Mosaddegh]] was elected [[Prime Minister of Iran]]. Mosaddegh became enormously popular after he [[Nationalization of the Iranian oil industry|nationalized the oil industry]], which had been largely controlled by foreign interests. He worked to weaken the monarchy until he was removed in the [[1953 Iranian coup d'état]]—initially an Anglo-American covert operation that marked the first time the US had participated in an overthrow of a foreign government during the [[Cold War]].<ref name="Kinzer2011">{{cite book|author=Stephen Kinzer|title=All the Shah's Men|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNz-3o_GQwsC&pg=PT10|access-date=21 June 2013|date=2011|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-14440-4|page=10}}</ref>

After the coup, the Shah became increasingly [[autocracy|autocratic]] and [[Sultanism|sultanistic]], and Iran entered a decades-long phase of controversially close relations with the United States and other foreign governments.<ref>Nikki R. Keddie, Rudolph P Matthee. [https://books.google.com/books?id=CdzFJIE7f5oC ''Iran and the Surrounding World: Interactions in Culture and Cultural Politics''] University of Washington Press, 2002 p. 366</ref> While the Shah increasingly modernised Iran and claimed to retain it as a fully [[secular state]],<ref name="Anthony H. Cordesman p 22">{{cite book |author=Cordesman, Anthony H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3j6sZyByv8EC |title=Iran's Military Forces in Transition: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction |date=1999 |isbn=978-0-275-96529-7 |page=22 | publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |author-link=Anthony Cordesman}}</ref> arbitrary arrests and torture by his secret police, the [[SAVAK]], were used for crushing political opposition.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baraheni |first1=Reza |title=Terror in Iran |journal=[[The New York Review of Books]] |date=28 October 1976 |url=https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1976/10/28/terror-in-iran/}}</ref>

[[Ruhollah Khomeini]], a radical Muslim cleric,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Christoffel Coetzee|first=Salidor|title=The Eye of the Storm|publisher=Partridge Publishing Singapore|year=2021|isbn=978-1-5437-5950-1}}</ref> became a critic of the Shah's reforms known as the ''[[White Revolution]]''. Khomeini publicly denounced the government and was imprisoned for 18 months. After his release in 1964, he was eventually sent into exile.

Due to the [[1973 oil crisis|1973 spike in oil prices]], the economy was flooded with foreign currency, causing [[inflation]]. By 1974, Iran was experiencing a double-digit inflation rate, and despite many large projects to modernise the country, [[Background and causes of the Iranian Revolution#1970–1975|corruption was rampant]]. By 1975 and 1976, a [[recession]] increased unemployment, especially among millions of youths who had migrated to the cities looking for construction jobs during the boom years of the early 1970s. By the late 1970s, many of these people opposed the Shah's regime and began protesting against it.<ref name="Hurd2009">{{cite book|author-link1=Elizabeth Shakman Hurd|author=Elizabeth Shakman Hurd|title=The Politics of Secularism in International Relations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=096dp4dthm0C&pg=PA75|year=2009|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-2801-2|page=75|access-date=17 August 2016}}</ref>

=== Iranian Revolution ===
{{Main|Iranian Revolution|1979 oil crisis|Iran hostage crisis}}
[[File:Tehran Ashura Demonstration, 11 December 1978 (10).jpg|thumb|250x250px|Millions of people protesting against the [[Pahlavi dynasty|Pahlavis]] in [[Tehran]], leading to the [[Iranian Revolution]] in 1979 and overthrow the monarchy.]]
The [[Iranian Revolution]] began in January 1978 with major demonstrations against [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi|Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch29ir.html |title=The Iranian Revolution |work=Fsmitha.com|date=22 March 1963|access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> After [[Iranian Revolution#Nationwide strikes (September–November)|a year of strikes]] and [[Iranian Revolution#Renewed protests (August–September)|demonstrations]] paralyzing the country and its economy, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled to the United States, and Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile in February 1979, forming a new government.<ref name="BBC this day">{{cite news|title=BBC On this Day Feb 1 1979|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/1/newsid_2521000/2521003.stm|access-date=25 November 2014|publisher=BBC}}</ref> After holding [[March 1979 Iranian Islamic Republic referendum|a referendum]], Iran officially became an [[Islamic republic]] in April 1979.<ref name="JohnsonUradnik2011">{{cite book|author1=Lori A. Johnson|author2=Kathleen Uradnik|author3=Sara Beth Hower|title=Battleground: Government and Politics &#91;2 volumes&#93;: Government and Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T9sdEOfoCWIC&pg=PA319|date=2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34314-8|page=319}}</ref> [[December 1979 Iranian constitutional referendum|A second referendum]] in December 1979 approved [[Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran|a theocratic constitution]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Jahangir Amuzegar|title=The Dynamics of the Iranian Revolution: The Pahlavis' Triumph and Tragedy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3KL5FvOejKkC&pg=PA4|year=1991|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-9483-7|pages=4, 9–12}}</ref>

Immediate nationwide uprisings against the new government began with the [[1979 Kurdish rebellion in Iran|1979 Kurdish rebellion]], the [[1979 Khuzestan uprising|Khuzestan uprisings]], and uprisings in [[Sistan and Baluchestan Province|Sistan and Baluchestan]] and other areas. Over the next several years, these uprisings were [[Consolidation of the Iranian Revolution|subdued violently]]. The new government began [[Consolidation of the Iranian Revolution#Suppression of opposition|purging the non-Islamist political opposition]], as well as Islamists who were not considered radical enough. Although both nationalists and Marxists had initially joined with Islamists to overthrow the Shah, tens of thousands were executed.<ref name="Benard">{{cite book|author=Cheryl Benard|title="The Government of God": Iran's Islamic Republic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sKLCQgAACAAJ|year=1984|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-05376-1|page=18}}</ref> Following Khomeini's order to purge the new government of any remaining officials still loyal to Pahlavi, many former ministers and officials in the pahlavi's government, including former prime minister [[Amir-Abbas Hoveyda]], were [[Casualties of the Iranian Revolution|executed]].

On 4 November 1979, after the United States refused the extradition of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, [[Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line|a group of Muslim students]] seized the US Embassy and [[Iran hostage crisis|took 52 personnel and citizens hostage]].<ref name="carterpbs">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/sfeature/sf_hostage.html|title=American Experience, Jimmy Carter, "444 Days: America Reacts"|publisher=Pbs.org|access-date=18 June 2011|archive-date=19 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119224031/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/sfeature/sf_hostage.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Attempts by the [[Jimmy Carter]] administration to [[Iran hostage crisis negotiations|negotiate the release of the hostages]], and a failed [[Operation Eagle Claw|rescue attempt]], helped with the falling popularity of Carter among US citizens. On Carter's final day in office, the last hostages were set free under the [[Algiers Accords]].

The [[Cultural Revolution in Iran|Cultural Revolution]] began in 1980, with threats to close universities which did not conform to Islamization demands from the new government. All universities were closed down in 1980, and reopened in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iran Human Rights Documentation Center |date=2020-03-04 |title=The 1980 Cultural Revolution and Restrictions on Academic Freedom in Iran |url=https://iranpresswatch.org/post/20819/1980-cultural-revolution-restrictions-academic-freedom-iran/ |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=Iran Press Watch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sobhe |first=Khosrow |date=1982 |title=Education in Revolution: Is Iran Duplicating the Chinese Cultural Revolution? |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3098794 |journal=Comparative Education |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=271–280 |doi=10.1080/0305006820180304 |jstor=3098794 |issn=0305-0068}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Razavi |first=Reza |date=2009 |title=The Cultural Revolution in Iran, with Close Regard to the Universities, and Its Impact on the Student Movement |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40262639 |journal=Middle Eastern Studies |volume=45 |issue=1 |pages=1–17 |doi=10.1080/00263200802547586 |jstor=40262639 |s2cid=144079439 |issn=0026-3206}}</ref>

On 22 September 1980, Iraq [[Iran–Iraq War#1980: Iraqi invasion|invaded the western Iranian province of Khuzestan]], initiating the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. Although the forces of [[Saddam Hussein]] made several early advances, by mid-1982, the Iranian forces began to gain momentum, with successfully [[Iran–Iraq War#1982: Iraqi retreat, Iranian offensive|driving the Iraqis back into Iraq]], and regaining all lost territory by June 1982. After pushing Iraqi forces back to the pre-war border lines, Iran rejected [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 514]] and launched an invasion of Iraq, conquered Iraqi territory and captured cities such as [[Basra]]. The subsequent Iranian offensive within Iraqi territory lasted for five years, with Iraq taking back the initiative and subsequently launching a series of major counter-offensives. The war continued until 1988, when the Iraqi army defeated the Iranian forces inside Iraq and pushed the remaining Iranian troops back across the border. Subsequently, Khomeini accepted [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 598|a truce mediated by the United Nations]], with both sides withdraw to their pre-war borders. It was the longest [[Conventional warfare|conventional war]] of the 20th century and the second longest war of this century after the [[Vietnam War]]. The total Iranian casualties in the war were estimated to be 123,220–160,000 [[killed in action|KIA]], 60,711 [[missing in action|MIA]], and 11,000–16,000 [[Civilian casualties|civilians killed]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Hiro|first=Dilip|author-link=Dilip Hiro|title=The Longest War: The Iran-Iraq Military Conflict|publisher=Routledge|location=New York|year=1991|page=[https://archive.org/details/longestwariranir00hiro/page/205 205]|isbn=978-0-415-90406-3|oclc=22347651|url=https://archive.org/details/longestwariranir00hiro/page/205}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Abrahamian|first=Ervand|author-link=Ervand Abrahamian|title=A History of Modern Iran|url=https://archive.org/details/historymodernira00abra|url-access=limited|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|location=Cambridge, UK; New York|year=2008|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historymodernira00abra/page/n202 171]–175, 212|isbn=978-0-521-52891-7|oclc=171111098}}</ref>
[[File:Chemical_weapon1.jpg|thumb|An Iranian soldier wearing a [[gas mask]] on the front line during the [[Iran–Iraq War]] (1980–1988).|left]]
Following the Iran–Iraq War, in 1989, [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]] concentrated on a pragmatic pro-business policy of rebuilding and strengthening the economy without making any dramatic break with the ideology of the revolution. In 1997, Rafsanjani was succeeded by moderate [[Iranian reform movement|reformist]] [[Mohammad Khatami]], whose government attempted, unsuccessfully, to make the country freer and more democratic.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news|author=Dan De Luce in Tehran |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/may/04/iran |title=Khatami blames clerics for failure |work=The Guardian |date=4 May 2004|access-date=25 August 2010 |location=London}}</ref>

The [[2005 Iranian presidential election|2005 presidential election]] brought conservative [[populist]] candidate [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] to power.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4740441.stm|title=Iran hardliner becomes president|access-date=6 December 2006|date=3 August 2005|publisher=BBC}}</ref> By the [[2009 Iranian presidential election]], the [[Ministry of Interior (Iran)|Interior Ministry]] announced incumbent President Ahmadinejad had won 62.63% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://moi.ir/Portal/Home/ShowPage.aspx?Object=News&CategoryID=832a711b-95fe-4505-8aa3-38f5e17309c9&LayoutID=dd8faff4-f71b-4c65-9aef-a1b6d0160be3&ID=5e30ab89-e376-434b-813f-8c22255158e1 |script-title=fa:نتایج نهایی دهمین دورهٔ انتخابات ریاست جمهوری |publisher=[[Ministry of Interior (Iran)|Ministry of Interior of Iran]] |language=fa |date=13 June 2009 |access-date=27 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618051204/http://www.moi.ir/portal/Home/ShowPage.aspx?Object=News&CategoryID=832a711b-95fe-4505-8aa3-38f5e17309c9&LayoutID=dd8faff4-f71b-4c65-9aef-a1b6d0160be3&ID=5e30ab89-e376-434b-813f-8c22255158e1 |archive-date=18 June 2009}}</ref><ref name="The_Guardian_November_29_2015c">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/13/iran-election-ahmadinejad-wins-president |title=Ahmadinejad wins surprise Iran landslide victory |newspaper=The Guardian |author=Ian Black |date=13 June 2009 |access-date= 29 November 2015}}</ref> The election results were widely disputed,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8134904.stm|title=Iran clerics defy election ruling|work=BBC News|date=5 July 2009|access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/2009/07/090704_op_brief_majma_qom.shtml|title=Is this government legitimate?|work=BBC|date=7 September 2009|access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> and resulted in [[2009 Iranian presidential election protests|widespread protests]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Landry|first=Carole |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jSWPwBGmOByDmvG6OPfqesxJ2O7Q|title=G8 calls on Iran to halt election violence|date=25 June 2009|access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/17/iran-protests-day-five|location=London|work=The Guardian |first1=Robert|last1= Tait|first2=Ian|last2=Black|first3=Mark|last3=Tran|title=Iran protests: Fifth day of unrest as regime cracks down on critics|date=17 June 2009}}</ref> and the creation of the [[Iranian Green Movement]].

[[Hassan Rouhani]] was elected president on 15 June 2013,<ref name="BBCannouncedwinner">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22916174|title=Hassan Rouhani wins Iran presidential election|date=15 June 2013|access-date=15 June 2013|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="WSJannouncedwinner">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323734304578544912995560792|title=Moderate Candidate Wins Iran's Presidential Vote|date=15 June 2013|access-date=16 June 2013|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=Farnaz|last=Fassihi}}</ref> improving relations with other countries.<ref>{{cite book |title=Strategic Asia 2013–14: Asia in the Second Nuclear Age |page=229 |author1=Denmark, Abraham M. |author2=Tanner, Travis |date=2013}}</ref> The [[2017–18 Iranian protests]] swept across the country in response to the economic and political situation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/04/world/middleeast/iran-protests.html|title=Protests Pop Up Across Iran, Fueled by Daily Dissatisfaction|first=Thomas|last=Erdbrink|newspaper=The New York Times |date=4 August 2018|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref> The scale of protests and the number of people participating were significant,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/more-chants-more-protests-the-dey-iranian-anti-regime-protests|title=More Chants, More Protests: The Dey Iranian Anti-Regime Protests|website=Critical Threats|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref> and it was formally confirmed that thousands of protesters were arrested.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46984649|title=Iran arrested 7,000 in crackdown on dissent during 2018 – Amnesty|work=BBC News |date=24 January 2019|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref> The [[2019–20 Iranian protests]] started on 15 November in [[Ahvaz]], spreading across the country within hours, after the government announced increases in fuel prices of up to 300%.<ref>{{cite news |title=In Pictures: Iranians protest against the increase in fuel prices |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/pictures-iranians-protest-increase-fuel-prices-191117091345643.html |work=Al-Jazeera |date=17 November 2019}}</ref> A [[2019 Internet blackout in Iran|week-long total Internet shutdown]] marked one of the most severe Internet blackouts in any country, and in the bloodiest governmental crackdown of the protestors in the history of Islamic Republic;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iran-shutdown.amnesty.org/|title=A web of impunity: The killings Iran's internet shutdown hid — Amnesty International|first=Iran Internet|last=Shutdown|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110235750/https://iran-shutdown.amnesty.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> tens of thousands were arrested and hundreds were killed within a few days according to multiple international observers, including [[Amnesty International]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Special Report: Iran's leader ordered crackdown on unrest – 'Do whatever it takes to end it' |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-protests-specialreport/special-report-irans-leader-ordered-crackdown-on-unrest-do-whatever-it-takes-to-end-it-idUSKBN1YR0QR |work=Reuters |access-date=23 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223095916/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-protests-specialreport/special-report-irans-leader-ordered-crackdown-on-unrest-do-whatever-it-takes-to-end-it-idUSKBN1YR0QR |archive-date=23 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 3 January 2020, the revolutionary guard's general, [[Qasem Soleimani]], was [[2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike|assassinated by the US in Iraq]], which considerably heightened [[Iran–United States relations|existing tensions between the two countries]].<ref name=Roelants>Carolien Roelants, Iran expert of ''[[NRC Handelsblad]]'', in a debate on ''[[Buitenhof (TV series)|Buitenhof]]'' on Dutch television, 5 January 2020.</ref> His assassination lead to [[Operation Martyr Soleimani]], the largest ballistic missile attack ever on Americans.<ref>{{Citation |title=Never-before-seen video of the attack on Al Asad Airbase |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGP7hZQuTL0 |access-date=2024-01-08 |language=en}}</ref> The [[BBC]] reported that millions of mourners attended Soleimani's [[Funeral of Qasem Soleimani|funeral ceremony]] on 6 January.<ref>{{Citation |title=Millions turn out in Iran for General Soleimani's funeral - BBC News |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ndfa37Y4-0 |access-date=2024-01-08 |language=en}}</ref> Three days later, Iran's [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] launched a [[2020 Iranian attack on U.S. forces in Iraq|retaliatory attack on US forces in Iraq]] and shot down [[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752]], killing all aboard and leading to [[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 protests|nation-wide protests]]. An international investigation led to the government admitting to the shootdown, calling it a "human error".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-crash/ukrainian-airplane-with-180-aboard-crashes-in-iran-fars-idUSKBN1Z70EL |title=Ukrainian airplane with 180 aboard crashes in Iran: Fars |date=8 January 2020 |work=Reuters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108035747/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-crash/ukrainian-airplane-with-180-aboard-crashes-in-iran-fars-idUSKBN1Z70EL |archive-date=8 January 2020 |access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51077788 |work=BBC |title=Demands for justice after Iran's plane admission |date=11 January 2020 |access-date=11 January 2020}}</ref>

{{multiple image
| align             = right
| total_width       = 300
| image1            = Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the Great Conference of Basij members at Azadi stadium October 2018 012.jpg
| caption1          = [[Ali Khamenei]], the [[Supreme Leader of Iran]] since 1989.
| image2            = PM in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi during the 15th BRICS Summit at Johannesburg, in South Africa on August 24, 2023 (1) (cropped).jpg
| caption2          = [[Ebrahim Raisi]], the current [[President of Iran]].
| image3            = MMokhber.png
| caption3          = [[Mohammad Mokhber]], the current [[Vice President of Iran]].
}}

Another [[Mahsa Amini protests|Protests against the government]] began on 16 September 2022 after a woman named [[Death of Mahsa Amini|Mahsa Amini died in police custody]] following her arrest by the [[Guidance Patrol]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 September 2022 |title=Protests flare across Iran in violent unrest over woman's death |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/tehran-governor-accuses-protesters-attacks-least-22-arrested-2022-09-20/ |url-status=live |access-date=23 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927195508/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/tehran-governor-accuses-protesters-attacks-least-22-arrested-2022-09-20/ |archive-date=27 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Strzyżyńska |first1=Weronika |date=16 September 2022 |title=Iranian woman dies 'after being beaten by morality police' over hijab law |language=en |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/sep/16/iranian-woman-dies-after-being-beaten-by-morality-police-over-hijab-law |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920020636/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/sep/16/iranian-woman-dies-after-being-beaten-by-morality-police-over-hijab-law |archive-date=20 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Leonhardt |first1=David |date=26 September 2022 |title=Iran's Ferocious Dissent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/briefing/iran-protests-mahsa-amini.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927061245/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/briefing/iran-protests-mahsa-amini.html |archive-date=27 September 2022 |access-date=27 September 2022 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> known commonly as the "morality police".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who are Iran's 'morality police'? – DW – 12/04/2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/who-are-irans-morality-police/a-63200711 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>

On January 15, 2024, [[2024 Erbil attack|Iran launched]] ballistic missile and drone attacks against alleged [[Mossad]] headquarters in [[Iraqi Kurdistan]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alkhshali |first=Helen Regan, Hamdi |date=2024-01-16 |title=Iran launches missile strikes in northern Iraq and Syria, claims to destroy Israeli spy base |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/16/middleeast/iran-missiles-kurdistan-syria-israel-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Iran launches missiles attacks in Iraq and Syria to target Mossad headquarters |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/world/story/iran-launches-missiles-attacks-in-iraq-and-syria-to-target-mossad-headquarters-413578-2024-01-16 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=hhanes |date=2024-01-16 |title=U.S. strikes Houthi launch sites, Iran targets 'Mossad bases' in missile attack in northern Iraq |url=https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2024/01/16/u-s-strikes-houthi-launch-sites-iran-targets-mossad-bases-in-missile-attack-in-northern-iraq/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=FDD |language=en}}</ref> and [[Islamic State|ISIS]] bases in northern [[Syria]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran launches missile strikes in Iraq and Syria citing security threats |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/15/irans-revolutionary-guard-attack-anti-iranian-groups-in-iraqs-erbil |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto8">{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=Alissa J. |date=2024-01-16 |title=Iran Launches Missile Strikes in Iraq and Syria, Citing Terrorist Attacks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-syria-attack.html |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdulkader |first=Omar |date=2024-01-16 |title=U.S. condemns Iran's "reckless missile strikes" near new American consulate in Erbil, northern Iraq - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-iran-missile-strike-erbil-iraq-israel-hamas-war/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> in response to the killing of [[Razi Mousavi]] and the [[2024 Kerman bombings]].<ref name="auto9">{{Cite news |date=2024-01-17 |title=Iran demonstrates missile capabilities with regional strikes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68004451 |access-date=2024-01-18 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Livemint |date=2024-01-17 |title=Why Iran attacked Pakistan, Syria and Iraq |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/why-iran-attacked-pakistan-syria-iraq-escalate-middle-east-tensions-details-here-11705497230497.html |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto8"/> As one of Iran's most extensive operations, the attack caused significant collateral damage in [[Erbil]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civilian Homes Damaged in Erbil After The Iranian Attack |url=https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Civilian-Homes-Damaged-in-Erbil-After-The-Iranian-Attack |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Shafaq News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Iddon |first=Paul |date=2024-01-18 |title=Iranian Ballistic Missile Strike Kills Prominent Businessman In Iraqi Kurdistan |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2024/01/15/iranian-ballistic-missile-strike-kills-prominent-businessman-in-iraqi-kurdistan/ |website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Knight |first=Dean |date=2020-09-06 |title=Ameliorating the collateral damage caused by collateral attack in administrative law |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.12923954.v1 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=dx.doi.org|doi=10.26686/wgtn.12923954.v1 |s2cid=155505234 }}</ref> A day after the attack, [[2024 Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan|Iran carried out]] a similar series of strikes in [[Panjgur District]] of [[Pakistan]], targeting the [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] terror group [[Jaish ul-Adl]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Iran Targets Terror Outfit Jaish Al-Adl Inside Pakistan |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-targets-terror-outfit-jaish-al-adl-inside-pakistan/7444873.html |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=AP |date=2024-01-16 |title=Iran attacks alleged militant bases in Pakistan; Islamabad says 'unprovoked' strikes kill 2 children |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iran-says-it-has-launched-attacks-on-what-it-calls-militant-bases-in-pakistan/article67746301.ece |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="auto9"/>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Iran}}
{{See also|Borders of Iran|Agriculture in Iran}}
[[File:981012-Damavand-South-IMG 9861-2.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Damavand]], the highest volcano in Asia. It as has a special place in [[Persian mythology]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-18 |title=The Mysteries of Iran's Sacred Peak, Mount Damavand. |url=https://oxadventure.com/damavand-legends/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=oxadventure.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-15 |title=Mount Damavand Mythology: Exploring the Mysterious Tales and Legends |url=https://www.iranexploration.com/mount-damavand-mythology/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Adventure & Cultural {{!}} Iran Exploration Tour Operator |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
Iran has an area of {{convert|1648195|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |title=Iran |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iran/ |access-date=24 May 2018 |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency (United States)}}</ref> It is the [[List of Asian countries by area|fourth-largest country entirely in Asia]] and the second-largest in West Asia.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Iran's Strategy in the Strait of Hormuz |url=https://thediplomat.com/2012/07/irans-strategy-in-the-strait-of-hormuz/ |url-status=dead |magazine=The Diplomat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208071232/https://thediplomat.com/2012/07/irans-strategy-in-the-strait-of-hormuz/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=29 November 2015}}</ref> It lies between latitudes [[24th parallel north|24°]] and [[40th parallel north|40° N]], and longitudes [[44th meridian east|44°]] and [[64th meridian east|64° E]]. It is bordered to the northwest by [[Armenia]] ({{convert|35|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), the Azeri exclave of [[Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic|Nakhchivan]] ({{convert|179|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/azerbaijan/|title=CIA – The World Factbook |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=7 April 2012}}</ref> and the [[Azerbaijan|Republic of Azerbaijan]] ({{convert|611|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}); to the north by the [[Caspian Sea]]; to the northeast by [[Turkmenistan]] ({{convert|992|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}); to the east by [[Afghanistan]] ({{convert|936|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) and Pakistan ({{convert|909|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}); to the south by the [[Persian Gulf]] and the [[Gulf of Oman]]; and to the west by [[Iraq]] ({{convert|1458|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) and Turkey ({{convert|499|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}).

Iran is in a seismically active area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/which-country-has-most-earthquakes|title=Which country has the most earthquakes? |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |access-date=22 May 2021}}</ref> On average, an earthquake of magnitude seven on the [[Richter scale]] occurs once every ten years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilna.news/fa/tiny/news-11875 |title=هر ده سال، یک زلزله ۷ ریشتری در کشور رخ می‌دهد &#124; خبرگزاری ایلنا |date=13 October 2012 |work=Ilna.news |access-date=2022-08-05}}</ref> Most earthquakes are shallow-focus and can be very devastating, such as the [[2003 Bam earthquake]].
[[File:هفت آبشار جنگلهای هیرکانی روستای تیرکن شهرستان بابل 2019.jpg|thumb| [[Hyrcanian forests]], a zone of lush lowland and montane forest in the very north of Iran.]]

Iran consists of the [[Iranian Plateau]], with the exception of the coasts of the Caspian Sea and [[Khuzestan Province|Khuzestan]]. It is one of the world's most mountainous countries, its landscape dominated by rugged [[mountain range]]s that separate various [[drainage basin|basins]] or [[plateau]]s. The populous western part is the most mountainous, with ranges such as the [[Caucasus Mountains|Caucasus]], [[Zagros Mountains|Zagros]], and [[Alborz]], the last containing [[Mount Damavand]], Iran's highest point at {{convert|5610|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, which is also the highest mountain in Asia west of the [[Hindu Kush]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apply Mubabol |url=http://en.mubabol.ac.ir/post/7 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=en.mubabol.ac.ir}}</ref>

The northern part of Iran is covered by the lush lowland [[Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests]], near the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. The eastern part consists mostly of [[desert]] basins, such as the [[Dasht-e Kavir|Kavir Desert]], which is the country's largest desert, and the [[Dasht-e Loot|Lut Desert]], as well as some [[salt lake]]s. The Lut Desert is the hottest recorded spot on the Earth's surface according to [[NASA]], with 70.7&nbsp;°C recorded in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-11-09 |title=The 5 Hottest Deserts in the World |url=https://www.mapquest.com/travel/survival/wilderness/5-hottest-deserts-on-earth.htm |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=MapQuest Travel |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-05 |title=Where Is the Hottest Place on Earth? |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/HottestSpot |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-22 |title=The hottest place on earth - Secret Compass |url=https://secretcompass.com/ten-things-you-didnt-know-about-iran-lut-desert-gallery-video/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sand-boarding.com |date=2023-08-10 |title=The Hottest Deserts on Earth Are Too Hot to Handle |url=https://sand-boarding.com/hottest-deserts-in-the-world/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Surf the Sand |language=en-US}}</ref> The only large [[plain]]s are found along the coast of the Caspian Sea and at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, where the country borders the mouth of the [[Shatt al-Arab|Arvand river]]. Smaller, discontinuous plains are found along the remaining coast of the Persian Gulf, the [[Strait of Hormuz]], and the Gulf of Oman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geography {{!}} Iranian Student Organization (IrSO) {{!}} Nebraska |url=https://www.unl.edu/irso/geography |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=unl.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IRAN TODAY - Geography... |url=https://www.allventure.com/en/impressions/iran-today/geography.html |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=allventure.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran ecotourism {{!}} Iran Ecotour guide training course |url=https://arasbaran.org/en/news.cfm?id=680 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=arasbaran.org}}</ref>

=== Islands ===
{{Main|List of islands of Iran}}
Iranian islands are mainly located in the [[Persian Gulf]]. Iran has 102 islands in [[Lake Urmia|Urmia Lake]], 427 in [[Aras (river)|Aras River]], several in [[Anzali Lagoon]], [[Ashuradeh|Ashurade Island]] in the [[Caspian Sea]], Sheytan Island in the [[Gulf of Oman|Oman Sea]] and several other inland islands. Iran also has an uninhabited island at the far end of the [[Gulf of Oman]], near the [[Pakistan|Pakistani border]]. A small number of Iranian islands can be visited by tourists, as most are in the possession of the military or wildlife protection, and entry to them is generally prohibited or requires a permit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Islands Tours, Top 10 Islands You Must See in Iran – Iran Travel Information |url=https://persiaplanet.com/top-iran-islands-tour/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Motamedi |first=Maziar |title=Iran's IRGC runs military drills on disputed islands claimed by UAE |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/2/irans-irgc-runs-military-drills-on-disputed-islands-claimed-by-uae |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-02 |title=Iran's Revolutionary Guard Runs Drill on Disputed Islands in Persian Gulf |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-s-revolutionary-guard-runs-drill-on-disputed-islands-in-persian-gulf/7209101.html |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>

[[Seizure of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs|Iran took control]] of [[Abu Musa|Bumusa]], and the [[Greater and Lesser Tunbs]] in 1971, all located in the [[Strait of Hormuz]] between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Despite the islands being small and having little natural resources or population, they are highly valuable for their key strategic location.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strait of Hormuz - About the Strait |url=https://www.strausscenter.org/strait-of-hormuz-about-the-strait/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The Strauss Center |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is the Strait of Hormuz so strategically important? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/7/11/why-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-so-strategically-important |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2019-07-23 |title=The Strait of Hormuz Is at the Center of Iran Tensions Again. Here's How the Narrow Waterway Gained Wide Importance |url=https://time.com/5632388/strait-of-hormuz-iran-tanker/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=Strait of Hormuz: the world's most important oil artery |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/strait-hormuz-worlds-most-important-oil-artery-2023-10-20/ |website=Routers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) |url=https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42338 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.eia.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=National |first=The |date=2019-06-17 |title=Why is the Strait of Hormuz the most important oil tanker route? |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/why-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-the-most-important-oil-tanker-route-1.875169 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref> Although the [[United Arab Emirates]] claims sovereignty over them,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-25 |title=UAE demands return of three islands seized by Iran |url=https://arab.news/zvpkr |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-09-26 |title=United Arab Emirates calls on Iran to take dispute over islands to UN court {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/09/389112 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=news.un.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UAE official calls for international action to end "Iranian occupation" of disputed islands |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/uae-official-calls-international-action-end-iranian-occupation-disputed-islands |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-18 |title=Iran-UAE Island Dispute Could Escalate |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-uae-island-dispute-could-escalate/1528869.html |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> it has constantly been met with strong response from the Iranian government,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-24 |title=Iran summons Russian envoy over statement on Persian Gulf disputed islands |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-russia-diplomatic-spat-uae-islands-persian-gulf-8a5c0a577811c37869d79ce7b30ee62a |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spokesman: Iran's Sovereignty over Three Persian Gulf Islands Undeniable {{!}} Farsnews Agency |url=https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14020420000737/Spkesman-Iran's-Svereigny-ver-Three-Persian-Glf-Islands-Undeniable |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.farsnews.ir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-25 |title=Tehran dismisses UAE claim to three Iranian islands |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/489390/Tehran-dismisses-UAE-claim-to-three-Iranian-islands |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref> based on their historical and cultural background.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UAE-Iran islands dispute complicates regional diplomacy {{!}} Responsible Statecraft |url=https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/08/09/uae-iran-islands-dispute-complicates-regional-diplomacy/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=responsiblestatecraft.org |language=en}}</ref> Iran has control over the islands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hormozgan province {{!}} Visit Iran |url=https://www.visitiran.ir/en/type/hormozgan-province |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=visitiran.ir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hormozgan Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts & Tourism Organization |url=https://hchto.ir/en/pages/Abu-Musa |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Hormozgan Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts & Tourism Organization |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Kish Island|Kish island]], as a [[Free-trade zone|free trade zone]], is touted as a consumer's paradise, with numerous malls, shopping centres, tourist attractions, and luxury hotels. [[Qeshm Island|Qeshm]] is the largest island in Iran, and a [[UNESCO Global Geoparks|UNESCO Global Geopark]] since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-06 |title=Qeshm Island Geopark Becomes Global After Receiving UNESCO Green Card - Iran Front Page |url=https://ifpnews.com/qeshm-geopark-becomes-global-receiving-unesco-green-card/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=ifpnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Qeshm island Geopark - Home |url=https://www.qeshmgeopark.ir/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.qeshmgeopark.ir}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Visit of Qeshm UNESCO Global Geopark |date=2021-08-12 |url=https://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/document-5401 |access-date=2024-01-22 |language=en}}</ref> Its salt cave, "Namakdan", is the largest salt cave in the world<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-13 |title=Namakdan Salt Cave: Qeshm's World-Famous Wonder {{!}}TAP Persia |url=https://www.tappersia.com/namakdan-salt-cave-qeshm/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.sirang.com |first=Sirang Rasaneh |title=Namakdan Salt Cave 2024 {{!}} Qeshm Island, Hormozgan {{!}} Sights - ITTO |url=https://itto.org/iran/attraction/namakdan-salt-cave-qeshm-island/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=itto.org {{!}} Iran Tourism & Touring}}</ref> and one of the world's longest caves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Namakdan Salt Cave {{!}} One of the Longest {{!}} Qeshm Attraction {{!}} Apochi.com |url=https://apochi.com/attractions/qeshm/namakdan-salt-cave/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Apochi |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Namakdan Salt Cave |url=https://iugs-geoheritage.org/geoheritage_sites/namakdan-salt-dome/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=IUGS |language=en}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
{{main|Climate of Iran}}

[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map IRN present.svg|upright=1.1|thumb|Iran map of Köppen climate classification zones.]]
Iran's climate is diverse, ranging from [[Desert climate|arid]] and [[semi-arid climate|semi-arid]], to [[subtropics|subtropical]] along the Caspian coast and the northern forests.<ref name="HaftlangLang2003">{{cite book|author1=Kiyanoosh Kiyani Haftlang|author2=Kiyānūsh Kiyānī Haft Lang|title=The Book of Iran: A Survey of the Geography of Iran|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gecy7sqblqoC&pg=PA17|year=2003|publisher=Alhoda UK|isbn=978-964-94491-3-5|page=17}}</ref> On the northern edge of the country (the Caspian coastal plain), temperatures rarely fall below freezing and the area remains humid. Summer temperatures rarely exceed {{convert|29|°C|°F|1}}.<ref name="Nagarajan2010" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine-in-Iran |title=Weather and Climate: Iran, average monthly Rainfall, Sunshine, Temperature, Humidity, Wind Speed |newspaper=World Weather and Climate Information |access-date=29 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922105410/https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine-in-Iran |archive-date=22 September 2015}}</ref> Annual precipitation is {{convert|680|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the eastern part of the plain and more than {{convert|1700|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the western part. Gary Lewis, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Iran, has said that "[[Water scarcity]] poses the most severe human security challenge in Iran today".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/farming-reforms-offer-hope-irans-water-crisis-131227395.html |title=Farming reforms offer hope for Iran's water crisis |last1=Moghtader |first1=Michelle |date=3 August 2014 |agency=Reuters |access-date=4 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807031853/http://news.yahoo.com/farming-reforms-offer-hope-irans-water-crisis-131227395.html |archive-date=7 August 2014 }}</ref>

To the west, settlements in the Zagros basin experience lower temperatures, severe winters with freezing average daily temperatures and heavy snowfall. The eastern and central basins are arid, with less than {{convert|200|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} of rain and have occasional deserts.<ref name="Nicholson2011">{{cite book|author=Sharon E. Nicholson|title=Dryland Climatology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fqussIGJ0NcC&pg=PA367|year=2011|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-50024-1|page=367}}</ref> Average summer temperatures rarely exceed {{convert|38|°C|1}}.<ref name="Nagarajan2010">{{cite book|author=R. Nagarajan|title=Drought Assessment|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x1505bxl0EkC&pg=PA383|year=2010|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-90-481-2500-5|page=383}}</ref> 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 {{convert|135|to|355|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Nagarajan2010" />

=== Wildlife ===
{{See also|Wildlife of Iran|List of national parks and protected areas of Iran}}
[[File:Persian Leopard sitting.jpg|thumb|[[Persian leopard]], native to the [[Iranian Plateau]].|220x220px]]
The wildlife of Iran includes [[bear]]s, the [[Eurasian lynx]], [[leopard]]s, [[cheetah]]s, [[fox]]es, [[gazelle]]s, [[gray wolf|grey wolves]], [[Golden jackal|jackals]], [[Leopard|panthers]], and [[wild boar|wild pigs]].<ref name="Fast2005">{{cite book|author=April Fast|title=Iran: The Land|url=https://archive.org/details/iranland0000fast|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=Crabtree Publishing Company|isbn=978-0-7787-9315-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/iranland0000fast/page/31 31]}}</ref><ref name="Firouz2005">{{cite book|author=Eskandar Firouz|title=The Complete Fauna of Iran|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t2EZCScFXloC&pg=PP1|year=2005|publisher=I.B. Tauris|isbn=978-1-85043-946-2}}</ref> [[Eagle]]s, [[falcon]]s, [[partridge]]s, [[pheasant]]s, and [[stork]]s are also native to Iran. One of the most famous animals of Iran is the critically endangered [[Asiatic cheetah]] (''Acinonyx jubatus venaticus''), which today survives only in Iran. Iran lost all its [[Asiatic lion]]s and the now extinct [[Caspian tiger]]s by the early 20th century.<ref>{{cite book | author=Guggisberg, C.A.W. |year=1961 |title= Simba: The Life of the Lion | publisher=Howard Timmins, Cape Town}}</ref>

There are around 200 protected areas in Iran to preserve the biodiversity and wildlife of the country, and as many as 16 of them are [[national park]]s.

{{anchor|Provinces and cities|Regions, provinces and cities|Subdivisions|Administrative divisions}}

=== Administrative divisions ===

{{Main|Regions of Iran|Provinces of Iran|Counties of Iran}}
{{See also|List of cities in Iran by province}}
[[File:Map of Iran with province names and neighboring land.svg|thumb|The 31 provinces of Iran.]]
Iran is divided into [[regions of Iran|five regions]] with [[provinces of Iran|31 provinces]] ({{lang|fa-Latn|ostān}}, {{lang|fa|استان}}),<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2014 |script-title=fa:همشهری آنلاین-استان‌های کشور به ۵ منطقه تقسیم شدند |trans-title=Provinces were divided into five regions |language=fa |newspaper=Hamshahri Online |url=http://www.hamshahrionline.ir/details/263382/Iran/-provinces |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623191332/http://www.hamshahrionline.ir/details/263382/Iran/-provinces |archive-date=23 June 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> each governed by an appointed governor. The provinces are divided into [[counties of Iran|counties]], and subdivided into [[bakhsh|districts]] and sub-districts.

The country 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%.<ref name="payvand2">{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/03/nov/1135.html |title=Iran: Focus on reverse migration |work=Payvand |access-date=17 April 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060326185508/http://www.payvand.com/news/03/nov/1135.html |archive-date=26 March 2006}}</ref> Iran's population is concentrated in its western half, especially in the north, north-west and west.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population distribution – The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2021/field/population-distribution/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=cia.gov}}</ref>

Tehran, with a population of around 8.8&nbsp;million (2016 census), is Iran's capital and largest city. The country's second most populous city, [[Mashhad]], has a population of around 3.3&nbsp;million (2016 census), and is capital of the province of [[Razavi Khorasan province|Razavi Khorasan]]. [[Isfahan]] has a population of around 2.2&nbsp;million (2016 census) and is Iran's third most populous city. It is the capital of [[Isfahan province]] and was also the third capital of the [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid Empire]].
{{Largest cities of Iran|class=info}}

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Iran|Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran}}

=== Supreme Leader ===
[[File:Ali Khamenei met with Xi Jinping in Tehran 2016 (1).jpg|thumbnail|[[Ali Khamenei]], the [[Supreme Leader of Iran]], meeting with his counterpart, China's [[Xi Jinping]].|240x240px]]

The Supreme Leader ("Rahbar"), or [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Leader of the Revolution]]<ref name="politicalsystem">{{cite web |script-title=fa:قانون اساسی جمهوری اسلامی ایران |url=http://fa.wikisource.org/wiki/قانون_اساسی_جمهوری_اسلامی_ایران |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410011625/http://fa.wikisource.org/wiki/%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86_%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C_%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C_%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C_%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86 |archive-date=10 April 2008 |access-date=23 January 2008 |language=fa}}</ref> is the head of state and is responsible for delineation and supervision of policy.<ref name="leader">{{cite web|url=http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=leader_law |title=Leadership in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran |publisher=Leader.ir |access-date=21 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612094341/http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=leader_law |archive-date=12 June 2013}}</ref> The Iranian president has limited power compared to the Rahbar Khamenei.<ref name="reuters.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-rallies-rouhani/in-jab-at-hardliners-rouhani-says-iran-protests-were-not-only-economic-idUSKBN1EX0S9|title=In jab at rivals, Rouhani says Iran protests about more than economy|date=8 January 2018|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref> The current longtime Rahbar is [[Ali Khamenei]].<ref name="english.aawsat.com">{{cite web|url=https://english.aawsat.com/amir-taheri/features/khamenei-orders-new-supervisory-body-curtail-government|title=Khamenei Orders New Supervisory Body to Curtail Government – ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive|first=Asharq|last=Al-awsat|date=25 September 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010083335/https://english.aawsat.com/amir-taheri/features/khamenei-orders-new-supervisory-body-curtail-government|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="al-monitor.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/11/iran-green-climate-change-khamenei.html|title=Khamenei says Iran must go green – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East|work=Al-Monitor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222135539/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/11/iran-green-climate-change-khamenei.html|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="irpop" /> Key ministers are selected with the Rahbar's agreement and he has the ultimate say on Iran's foreign policy.<ref name="reuters.com" /> The Rahbar is directly involved in ministerial appointments for Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs, as well as other top ministries after submission of candidates from the president.<ref name="MagriPerteghella2017">{{cite book|author1=Paolo Magri|author2=Annalisa Perteghella|title=Post-Vote Iran: Giving engagement a chance|url=https://boioks.google.com/books?id=Reg4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA58|year=2017|publisher=Ledizioni|isbn=978-88-6705-653-8|pages=58–61}}{{dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Iran's regional policy is directly controlled by the office of the Rahbar with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' task limited to protocol and ceremonial occasions. All of Iran's ambassadors to Arab countries, for example, are chosen by the Quds Corps, which directly reports to the Rahbar.<ref name="english.aawsat.com" /> The Rahbar can also order laws to be amended.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/12/iran-retirement-law-reemployment-retirees-khamenei-order.html |title=Khamenei orders controversial retirement law amended |work=Al-Monitor |date=5 December 2018 |access-date=12 December 2018}}</ref> [[Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order|Setad]] is estimated at $95&nbsp;billion in 2013 by Reuters, accounts of which are secret even to the [[Iranian parliament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/iran/|title=Reuters Investigates – Assets of the Ayatollah|website=Reuters|date=11 November 2013 |access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=SetadWins>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-setad-sanctions-exclusive/exclusive-khameneis-business-empire-gains-from-iran-sanctions-relief-idUSBREA0L1CO20140122|title=Exclusive: Khamenei's business empire gains from Iran sanctions relief|work=Reuters|author=Steve Stecklow, Babak Dehghanpisheh|date=22 January 2014|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref>

The Rahbar is the [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran|armed forces]], controls the military intelligence and security operations, and has sole power to declare war or peace.<ref name="leader" /> The heads of the judiciary, the state radio and television networks, the commanders of the police and military forces, and six of the twelve members of the [[Guardian Council]] are directly appointed by the Rahbar.<ref name="leader" />

The [[Assembly of Experts]] is responsible for electing the Rahbar, and has the power to dismiss him on the basis of qualifications and popular esteem.<ref name="loc">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/iran/81.htm |title=Iran – The Constitution |first=Library of Congress |last=Federal Research Division |access-date=14 April 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923063550/http://countrystudies.us/iran/81.htm |archive-date=23 September 2006}}</ref> To date, the Assembly of Experts has not challenged any of the Rahbar's decisions nor attempted to dismiss him.<ref name="Judiciary" /> The previous head of the judicial system, [[Sadeq Larijani]], appointed by the Rahbar, said that it is illegal for the Assembly of Experts to supervise the Rahbar.<ref name="Al-awsat">{{cite web|url=http://english.aawsat.com/2015/12/article55345842/55345842 |title=Controversy in Iran Surrounding the Supervision of the Supreme Leader's Performance – ASHARQ AL-AWSAT |first=Asharq |last=Al-awsat |date=15 December 2015 |access-date=1 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625141325/http://english.aawsat.com/2015/12/article55345842/55345842 |archive-date=25 June 2016}}</ref> Many believe the Assembly of Experts has become a ceremonial body without any real power.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/02/iran-parliamentary-elections-assembly-of-experts/470580/ |title=Myths and Realities of Iran's Parliamentary Elections |magazine=The Atlantic |date=23 February 2016 |access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/anomalies-and-results-from-irans-assembly-of-experts-election |title=Anomalies in Iran's Assembly of Experts Election – The Washington Institute for Near East Policy |website=Washingtoninstitute.org |date=22 March 2016 |access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Majid Rafizadeh|title=Why Khamenei wants the next Supreme Leader to be 'revolutionary' |website=AlArabiya News |date=24 June 2016 |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2016/06/24/Why-Khamenei-wants-the-next-Supreme-Leader-to-be-revolutionary-.html |access-date=2022-10-04}}</ref> There have been instances when the current Rahbar publicly criticised members of the Assembly of Experts, resulting in their arrest and dismissal.

=== Guardian Council ===
{{Main|Guardian Council}}
Presidential candidates and parliamentary candidates must be approved by the [[Guardian Council]] (all members of which are directly or indirectly appointed by the Leader) or the Leader before running to ensure their allegiance.<ref>{{cite book|author=Chibli Mallat|title=The Renewal of Islamic Law: Muhammad Baqer As-Sadr, Najaf and the Shi'i International|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5oB4_tohQegC|access-date=21 June 2013|date=2004|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-53122-1}}</ref> The Leader very rarely does the vetting himself directly but has the power to do so, in which case additional approval of the Guardian Council would not be needed. The Leader can also revert the decisions of the Guardian Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/may/24/iran|title=Iran reverses ban on reformist candidates|author=<!--Not stated.--> and agencies|date=24 May 2005|website=The Guardian}}</ref> The Guardian Council can and has dismissed elected members of the Iranian parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/iran-bars-female-mp-for-shaking-hands-with-unrelated-man|title=Iran bars female MP for 'shaking hands with unrelated man'|first=Saeed Kamali|last=Dehghan|date=15 April 2016|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/402544/Minoo-Khaleghi-summoned-to-court|title=Minoo Khaleghi summoned to court|date=15 May 2016}}</ref>

=== President ===
{{Main|President of Iran}}
[[File:Three leaders (2022-07-19).jpg|thumb|238x238px|Iranian President [[Ebrahim Raisi]], with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] and Turkish President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]].]]
After the Rahbar, the Constitution defines the [[president of Iran]] as the highest state authority.<ref name="leader" /><ref name="photius">{{cite web|url=http://www.photius.com/countries/iran/government/iran_government_the_presidency.html |title=Iran The Presidency |publisher=Photius.com |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> The President is elected by [[universal suffrage]] for a term of four years, but is required to gain the Leader's official approval before being sworn in before the Parliament (Majlis). The Leader also has the power to dismiss the elected president.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gladstone |first1=Rick |title=Is Iran's Supreme Leader Truly Supreme? Yes, but President Is No Mere Figurehead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/world/middleeast/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/world/middleeast/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi.html |archive-date=28 December 2021 |url-access=limited |access-date=27 September 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=5 August 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The President can only be re-elected for one term.<ref name="photius" />

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, which has the final say.<ref name="leader" /> The procedures for presidential election and all other elections in Iran are outlined by the Rahbar.<ref name="tehtrans">{{Cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/407304/Leader-outlines-elections-guidelines-calls-for-transparency|title=Leader outlines elections guidelines, calls for transparency|date=15 October 2016|work=Tehran Times|access-date=21 May 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Middle East Eye">{{cite web |title=Iran's Khamenei hits out at Rafsanjani in rare public rebuke |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/khamenei-lashes-out-rafsanjani-and-rouhani-rare-iran-public-spat-1261460510 |work=Middle East Eye}}</ref><ref name="en.iranwire.com">{{cite web |title=Asking for a Miracle: Khamenei's Economic Plan |url=https://iranwire.com/en/features/273 |website=IranWire &#124; خانه}}</ref><ref name="irpop">{{Cite news|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/05/khamenei-plans-increase-iran-population.html|title=Khamenei outlines 14-point plan to increase population|date=22 May 2014|work=Al-Monitor|access-date=21 May 2017|language=en-us|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801000839/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/05/khamenei-plans-increase-iran-population.html|archive-date=1 August 2017}}</ref>

The President appoints the ministers, subject to the approval of the Parliament, as well as the approval of the Rahbar, who can dismiss or reinstate any of the ministers at any time.<ref name="stalbertgazette.com">{{Cite news|url=http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/GB/20110420/CP01/304209937/-1/sag0806/iranian-lawmakers-warn-ahmadinejad-to-back-intelligence-chief-as|title=Iranian lawmakers warn Ahmadinejad to accept intelligence chief as political feud deepens|work=CP|access-date=21 May 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808034040/http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/GB/20110420/CP01/304209937/-1/sag0806/iranian-lawmakers-warn-ahmadinejad-to-back-intelligence-chief-as|archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8168202.stm|title=BBC NEWS – Middle East – Iranian vice-president 'sacked'|date=25 July 2009|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Amir Saeed Vakil, Pouryya Askary|title=constitution in now law like order|date=2004|page=362}}</ref> The President supervises the [[Council of Ministers of Iran|Council of Ministers]], coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be placed before the legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/iran/84.htm |title=Iran – The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers |publisher=Countrystudies.us |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520124905/http://countrystudies.us/iran/84.htm |archive-date=20 May 2011}}</ref> Eight Vice Presidents serve under the President, as well as a cabinet of twenty-two ministers, who must all be approved by the legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranchamber.com/government/articles/structure_of_power.php |title=The Structure of Power in Iran |publisher=Iranchamber.com |date=24 June 2005 |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605074610/http://www.iranchamber.com/government/articles/structure_of_power.php |archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref>

=== Legislature ===
{{Main|Islamic Consultative Assembly}}
{{See also|Specialized Commissions of the Parliament of Iran|Supreme Audit Court of Iran|Majlis Research Center}}
[[File:Iranian Parliament 2.jpg|thumb|The [[Islamic Consultative Assembly]], also known as the Iranian Parliament.|252x252px]]
The legislature of Iran, known as the [[Islamic Consultative Assembly]], is a [[unicameralism|unicameral]] body comprising 290 members elected for four-year terms.<ref name="Majlis">{{cite web|url=http://www.electionguide.org/country.php?ID=103 |title=IFES Election Guide |publisher=Electionguide.org |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616042705/http://www.electionguide.org/country.php?ID=103 |archive-date=16 June 2011}}</ref> It drafts legislation, ratifies international [[treaty|treaties]], and approves the national budget. All parliamentary candidates and all legislation from the assembly must be approved by the Guardian Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/iran/86.htm |title=Iran – The Council of Guardians |publisher=Countrystudies.us |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520124440/http://countrystudies.us/iran/86.htm |archive-date=20 May 2011}}</ref>

The Guardian Council comprises twelve jurists, including six appointed by the Rahbar. Others are elected by the Parliament, from among the jurists nominated by the Head of the [[Judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Judiciary]].<ref name="autogenerated4">{{cite web|url=http://www.photius.com/countries/iran/government/iran_government_the_council_of_guard~276.html |title=Iran The Council of Guardians |publisher=Photius.com |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624023650/http://www.photius.com/countries/iran/government/iran_government_the_council_of_guard~276.html |archive-date=24 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Manou & Associates Inc. |url=http://www.iranonline.com/iran/iran-info/Government/constitution-6-2.html |title=Iranian Government Constitution, English Text |publisher=Iranonline.com |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617152445/http://www.iranonline.com/iran/iran-info/government/constitution-6-2.html |archive-date=17 June 2011}}</ref> The Council interprets the constitution and may veto the Parliament. If a law is deemed incompatible with the constitution or [[Sharia]] (Islamic law), it is referred back to the Parliament for revision.<ref name="photius" /> The [[Expediency Discernment Council|Expediency Council]] has the authority to mediate disputes between the Parliament and the Guardian Council, and serves as an advisory body to the Rahbar, making it one of the most powerful governing bodies in the country.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/iran_power/html/expediency_council.stm | access-date =3 February 2008 |work=BBC News |title= Expediency council}}</ref> [[City and Village Councils of Iran|Local city councils]] are elected by public vote to four-year terms.

=== Law ===
{{Main|Judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran}}
[[File:Anoushiravan.jpg|thumb|upright|Relief of [[Khosrow I|Anushiruwan]] at the [[Courthouse of Tehran]].]]
The Rahbar appoints the head of the Supreme Court and the chief public prosecutor.<ref name="Judiciary">{{cite web|url=http://www.iranchamber.com/government/articles/structure_of_power.php |title=Iran Chamber Society: The Structure of Power in Iran |publisher=Iranchamber.com |date=24 June 2005 |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605074610/http://www.iranchamber.com/government/articles/structure_of_power.php |archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref> There are several types of courts, including public courts that deal with civil and criminal cases, and [[Islamic Revolutionary Court|revolutionary courts]] which deal with certain categories of offences, such as crimes against [[national security]]. The decisions of the revolutionary courts are final and cannot be appealed.<ref name="Judiciary" />

The Chief Justice is the head of the judicial system and is responsible for its administration and supervision. He is also the highest judge of the [[Supreme Court of Iran]]. The Chief Justice nominates some candidates for serving as minister of justice, and then the President select one of them. The Chief Justice can serve for two five-year terms.<ref>{{cite web|author=Axel Tschentscher, LL.M. |url=https://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ir00000_.html |title=ICL > Iran > Constitution |work=Servat.unibe.ch |access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>

The [[Special Clerical Court]] handles crimes allegedly committed by [[cleric]]s, although it has also taken on cases involving [[laity|laypeople]]. 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.<ref name="Judiciary" /> The Assembly of Experts, which meets for one week annually, comprises 86 "virtuous and learned" clerics elected by adult suffrage for eight-year terms.

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Iran}}
[[File:Diplomatic relations of Iran.svg|thumb|Nations with which Iran has diplomatic relations.]]

Since the time of the 1979 Revolution, Iran's foreign relations have often been portrayed as being based on two strategic principles: eliminating outside influences in its region and pursuing extensive diplomatic contacts with developing and [[Non-Aligned Movement|non-aligned countries]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Iran Country Study Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments |isbn=978-1-4387-7462-6 |page=141|publisher=IBP |date=3 March 2012 }}</ref>

{{As of|2009}}, the government of Iran maintains diplomatic relations with 99 members of the United Nations,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.ir/cms/cms/Tehran/fa/mission/mission2.html |title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran|year=2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228095004/http://www.mfa.gov.ir/cms/cms/Tehran/fa/mission/mission2.html |archive-date=28 February 2009|access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref> but not with the [[Iran–United States relations|United States]], and not with [[Iran–Israel relations|Israel]]—a state which Iran's government has derecognised since the 1979 Revolution.<ref name="MousavianShahidsaless2014">{{cite book|author1=Seyed Hossein Mousavian|author2=Shahir Shahidsaless|title=Iran and the United States: An Insider's View on the Failed Past and the Road to Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ppe9AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA33|year=2014|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-62892-870-9|page=33}}</ref> Among Muslim nations, Iran has an adversarial relationship with [[Iran–Saudi Arabia relations|Saudi Arabia]] due to different political and Islamic ideologies.<ref>Guffey, Robert A. (2009). ''Saudi-Iranian Relations Since the Fall of Saddam: Rivalry, Cooperation and Implication for US Policy''. RAND Corporation. {{ISBN|978-0-8330-4657-4}}.</ref>
 [[File:Iranian_Foreign_Affaire_Ministry.jpg|thumb|The building of [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Iran)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], which extensively uses pre-Islamic [[Iranian architecture|Persian architecture]] in its facade.]]
Iran is a member of dozens of international organizations, including the [[Group of 15|G-15]], [[Group of 24|G-24]], [[Group of 77|G-77]], [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]], [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|IBRD]], [[International Development Association|IDA]], [[Islamic Development Bank|IDB]], [[International Finance Corporation|IFC]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[Belt and Road Initiative|BRI]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], [[International Maritime Organization|IMO]], [[Interpol]], [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|OIC]], [[OPEC]],<ref name=rubin80>{{cite book|last=Rubin |first=Barry |title=Paved with Good Intentions |year=1980 |publisher=Penguin Books |location=New York |page=83 |url=http://www.gloria-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Paved-with-Good-Intentions-final.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021121704/http://www.gloria-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Paved-with-Good-Intentions-final.pdf |archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> [[World Health Organization|WHO]], and the [[United Nations]], and currently has observer status at the [[World Trade Organization]].

[[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's nuclear programme]] has become the [[Views on the nuclear program of Iran|subject of contention with the international community]], mainly the United States. As of November 2023 Iran has [[uranium]] enriched to up to 60% fissile content, close to weapon grade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Francois |date=2023-11-15 |title=Iran's nuclear enrichment advances as it stonewalls UN, IAEA reports show. |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-nuclear-enrichment-advances-it-stonewalls-un-iaea-reports-show-2023-11-15/ |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=Iran advances nuclear enrichment while still barring inspectors; IAEA |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/15/iran-advances-nuclear-enrichment-while-still-barring-inspectors-iaea |website=Aljazeera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-26 |title=Iran Resumes Pace of 60% Uranium Enrichment, IAEA Says |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-resumes-pace-of-60-uranium-enrichment-iaea-says-/7413491.html |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> Iran has been seeking nuclear weapons for decades.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-01-28 |title=An atomic threat made in America |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/chi-061209atoms-day1-story-htmlstory.html |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Global Affairs |date=2015-10-19 |title=Canadian Sanctions Related to Iran |url=https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/sanctions/iran.aspx?lang=eng |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=GAC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Womuhai |first=Julian Godfray, Norman |date=2023-09-27 |title=The UK, France and Germany announce continuation of Iranian nuclear-related sanctions |url=https://sanctionsnews.bakermckenzie.com/the-uk-france-and-germany-announce-continuation-of-iranian-nuclear-related-sanctions/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> Some analysts already regard the country as a de facto nuclear power.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Iran puts its nuclear programme beyond the reach of American bombs |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/05/30/iran-puts-its-nuclear-programme-beyond-the-reach-of-american-bombs |access-date=2024-01-18 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title=Does Iran already have nuclear weapons? |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/feb/19/does-iran-already-have-nuclear-weapons/ |url-status=live |website=The Washington Times}}</ref> Many countries have expressed concern that Iran could divert civilian nuclear technology into a [[Iran and weapons of mass destruction|weapons programme]]. This has led the [[United Nations Security Council]] to impose [[sanctions against Iran]]. On 14 July 2015, Iran and the [[P5+1]] agreed to the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|Joint Comprehensive Plan on Action]] (JCPOA), aiming to end [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929|economic sanctions]] in exchange for Iran's restriction in producing [[enriched uranium]] after demonstrating a peaceful nuclear research project that would meet the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] standards.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kutsch, Tom |date=14 July 2015 |title=Iran, world powers strike historic nuclear deal |publisher=Aljazeera America |access-date=15 July 2015 |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/7/14/iran-world-powers-strike-historic-nuclear-deal.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715175516/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/7/14/iran-world-powers-strike-historic-nuclear-deal.html |archive-date=15 July 2015}}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{Main|Military history of Iran|Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces}}

[[File:Sejjil missile launch - November 2008 (21).jpg|thumb|The [[Sejjil]]. Iran is the world's 6th [[Ballistic missile|missile power]], and the 5th country in the world with [[Hypersonic missile|hypersonic missile technology]].]]

The Iranian military is organized under a unified structure, the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces]], comprising the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army]] (Artesh), which includes the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces|Ground Forces]], [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force|Air Defence Force]], [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Air Force]], and [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|Navy]]; the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (Sepah), which consists of the [[Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Ground Forces]], [[Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Aerospace Force]], [[Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Navy]], [[Quds Force]], and [[Basij]]; and the [[Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Law Enforcement Force]] (Faraja), which serves an analogous function to a [[Gendarmerie|gendarme]]. While the regular army protects the country's sovereignty in a traditional capacity, the IRGC is mandated to ensure the integrity of the Islamic Republic, principally against foreign interference, coups, and internal riots.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7064353.stm "Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227172931/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7064353.stm|date=27 December 2008}}. BBC News. 18 October 2009.</ref> [[Conscription in Iran|Since 1925]], it is mandatory for all male citizen aged 18 to serve around 14 months in the Iranian Army or the IRGC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-16 |title=خبر فوری از کاهش مدت خدمت سربازی از زبان سخنگوی شورای نگهبان |url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/1884809/%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%B3%D8%AE%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B4-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=www.khabaronline.ir |language=fa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-16 |title=کاهش مدت سربازی به‌طور رسمی/ میانگین مدت: با آموزشی، 14 ماه |url=https://www.jamaran.news/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%AC%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3-70/1626400-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B4-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A2%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B4%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87 |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=پایگاه خبری جماران |language=fa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-16 |title=اخبار سیاسی ۲۶ اسفند؛ کمک رهبرانقلاب به زندانیان نیازمند/تایید کاهش مدت سربازی |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1402122618464/%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-%DB%B2%DB%B6-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%86%D8%AF-%DA%A9%D9%85%DA%A9-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%AF |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=ایسنا |language=fa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=روزبهی |first=محدثه |date=2024-03-16 |title=تایید مصوبه کاهش مدت سربازی در شورای نگهبان |url=https://www.ekhtebar.ir/%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B4-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%86%DA%AF/ |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=پایگاه خبری اختبار |language=fa-IR}}</ref>

Iran has over 610,000 active troops and around 350,000 reservists, totalling nearly 1 million trained military personnel, one of the world's highest [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|percentage of citizens with military training]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Murtaza |title=Why war with Iran would spell disaster |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2012/9/12/why-war-with-iran-would-spell-disaster |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep29480.7 |title=Regular Military Power |last=Jones |first=Seth G. |date=2020 |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) |doi=10.2307/resrep29480.7 |pages=19–27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-12 |title=The Largest Armies in the World |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/society/the-largest-armies-in-the-world.html |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaskanis |first=Angelos |date=2023-12-02 |title=Iran's Military Capabilities: Exploring the Power of the |url=https://brusselsmorning.com/irans-military-capabilities/36049/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Basij'','' a [[paramilitary]] volunteer militia within the IRGC, has over 20 million members, 600,000 members available for immediate call-up, 300,000 reservists, and a million that could be mobilized when necessary.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aryan |first=Hossein |date=2009-02-05 |title=Pillar Of The State |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/Irans_Basij_Force_Mainstay_Of_Domestic_Security/1357081.html |access-date=2024-03-15 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ارتش بیست میلیونی |url=http://www.imam-khomeini.ir/fa/n151194/%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B4_%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA_%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86%DB%8C |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=www.imam-khomeini.ir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-03 |title=Iran's Revolutionary Guards: Powerful group with wide regional reach |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/world/irans-revolutionary-guards-powerful-group-with-wide-regional-reach-2878423 |url-status=live |website=DH}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-15 |title=Iran's Basij Force -- The Mainstay Of Domestic Security |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/Irans_Basij_Force_Mainstay_Of_Domestic_Security/1357081.html |url-status=live |website=Radio Free Europe}}</ref> Faraja, the Iranian uniformed [[police force]], has over 260,000 active personnel. Most statistical organizations do not include the Basij and Faraja in their ratings report.

Excluding the Basij and Faraja, Iran has been identified as a major military power, owing it to the size and capabilities of its armed forces. It possess the world's 14th strongest military.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Iran Military Strength |url=https://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.php?country_id=iran |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=globalfirepower.com |language=en-US}}</ref> It ranks 13th globally in terms of overall military strength,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Spirlet |first=Sinéad Baker, Thibault |title=The world's most powerful militaries in 2023, ranked |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ranked-world-most-powerful-militaries-2023-firepower-us-china-russia-2023-5 |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> 7th in the number of active military personnel,<ref name="auto1" /> and 9th in the size of both its ground force and armoured force. Iran's armed forces are the largest in [[West Asia]] and comprise the greatest [[Army Aviation]] fleet in the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Ghorbani: Iran helicopter fleet, strongest in Middle East |url=http://iranpress.com/aliaspage/7560 |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=iranpress.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-13 |title=سازمان صنایع دریایی - پایگاه اطلاعات دریایی ایران |url=http://www.imarine.ir/marine-industries-organization/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813214257/http://www.imarine.ir/marine-industries-organization/ |archive-date=13 August 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran - Army Navy Air Force {{!}} budget, equipment, personnel |url=https://armedforces.eu/Iran |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=ArmedForces |language=en}}</ref> Iran is among the top 15 countries in terms of military budget.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-26 |title=Iran Boosts Military Budget To Stand Among Top 15 |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202204261827 |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Iran International}}</ref> In 2021, its military spending increased for the first time in four years, to $24.6 billion, 2.30% of the national GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-10 |title=Iran Military Spending=Defense Budget 1960-2023 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/IRN/iran/military-spending-defense-budget |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Macrotrends}}</ref> Funding for the IRGC accounted for 34% of Iran's total military spending in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-25 |title=World military expenditure passes $2 trillion for first time |url=https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2022/world-military-expenditure-passes-2-trillion-first-time |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Sipri}}</ref>
[[File:Students from Kashan on Rahian-e-Pishraft Tour (11).jpg|left|thumb|[[Shahed 149 Gaza|Shahed 149]]. Iran is considered as a global leader and superpower in [[drone warfare|drone warfare and technology]].]]
Since the Revolution, to overcome foreign embargoes, Iran has developed a domestic military industry capable of producing indigenous [[tank]]s, [[armoured personnel carrier]]s, [[missile]]s, [[submarine]]s, [[Iranian frigate Jamaran|missile destroyer]], [[radar]] systems, [[helicopter]]s, [[Navy|navel vessels]], and [[fighter aircraft|fighter planes]].<ref name="AskariMohseni2010">{{cite book |author1=Hossein Askari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GxdtLyJZxDUC&pg=PA93 |title=The Militarization of the Persian Gulf: An Economic Analysis |author2=Amin Mohseni |author3=Shahrzad Daneshvar |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-84980-186-7 |page=93}}</ref> Official announcements have highlighted the development of advanced weaponry, particularly in rocketry.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Iran tests new long-range missile|work=BBC|date=12 November 2008|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7725951.stm|access-date=12 November 2008}}</ref><ref group="n">Examples include the [[Hoot (torpedo)|Hoot]], [[Kowsar]], [[Zelzal]], [[Fateh-110]], [[Shahab-3]], [[Sejjil]], [[Fattah-1 (missile)|Fattah]], [[Khorramshahr (missile)|Khorramahahr]], [[Kheibar Shekan]], [[Emad (missile)|Emad]], [[Ghadr-110]], [[Hormuz-1 (missile)|Hormuz-1]], [[Dezful (missile)|Dezful]], [[Qiam 1]], [[Ashoura (missile)|Ashoura]], [[Fajr-3 (missile)|Fajr-3]], [[Haj Qasem (missile)|Haj Qasem]], [[Persian Gulf (missile)|Persian Gulf]], [[Raad-500 (missile)|Raad-500]], [[Zolfaghar (missile)|Zolfaghar]], [[Hoveyzeh (cruise missile)|Hoveyzeh]], [[Soumar (missile)|Soumar]], [[Fakour-90]], [[Paveh cruise missile|Paveh]], [[Rezvan missile|Rezvan]], [[Samen (missile)|Samen]], [[Tondar-69]].{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}</ref> Consequently, Iran has the largest and most diverse [[ballistic missile]] arsenal in the Middle East and is only the 5th country in the world with [[Hypersonic missile|hypersonic missile technology]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Motamedi |first=Maziar |date=2023-06-06 |title=Fattah: Iran unveils its first hypersonic missile |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/6/fattah-iran-unveils-its-first-hypersonic-missile |website=Aljazeera}}</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31984423 "Are the Iran nuclear talks heading for a deal?"]. [[BBC News Online]]. Retrieved: 4 August 2016.</ref> It is the world's 6th missile power.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-18 |title=Ex-official: Iran is world's 6th missile power |url=https://apnews.com/article/6c529bfa076b43c290f46d2f79c284a8 |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=AP News |language=en-US}}</ref> Iran designs and produces a variety of [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs) and is considered a global leader and superpower in [[drone warfare|drone warfare and technology]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title=Iran is emerging as a drone superpower |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221117-iran-is-emerging-as-a-drone-superpower/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Middle East Monitor}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Iran becoming global drone producer on back of Ukraine war, says US |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/14/us-says-iran-becoming-a-drone-leader-as-russia-uses-its-craft-in-ukraine |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran’s drone diplomacy is a danger to the West |url=https://fathomjournal.org/irans-drone-diplomacy-is-a-danger-to-the-west/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Fathom}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=News9Plus |title=Watch How Iran Became a Drone Superpower on News9 Plus |date=2018-04-30 |url=https://www.news9plus.com/shortvideo/how-iran-became-a-drone-superpower |access-date=2024-03-17 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=How to Curb the Threat of Iranian Drones {{!}} Hudson |url=https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/how-curb-threat-iranian-drones |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=www.hudson.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-17 |title=Iran is becoming a drone superpower |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/international/453437-iran-is-becoming-a-drone-superpower/ |url-status=live |website=The Hill}}</ref> It is one of the world's five countries with [[cyberwarfare]] capabilities and is identified as "one of the most active players in the international cyber arena".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-21 |title=رادیو زمانه هک شد |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2010/01/100130_u02-radiozamaneh-hackers |website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-21 |title=How Iran's political battle is fought in cyberspace |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8505645.stm |website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-21 |title=What rules apply in cyber-wars |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8114444.stm |website=BBC}}</ref>

Following Russia's purchase of Iranian drones during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-17 |title=Inside the Russian effort to build 6,000 attack drones with Iran's help |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2023/08/17/russia-iran-drone-shahed-alabuga/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-01 |title=Timeline: Iran-Russia Collaboration on Drones {{!}} The Iran Primer |url=https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2023/mar/01/timeline-iran-russia-collaboration-drones |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=iranprimer.usip.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nissenbaum |first1=Dion |last2=Strobel |first2=Warren P. |date=2023-02-05 |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Moscow, Tehran Advance Plans for Iranian-Designed Drone Facility in Russia |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/moscow-tehran-advance-plans-for-iranian-designed-drone-facility-in-russia-11675609087 |access-date=2024-01-11 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-15 |title=Russia aims to obtain more attack drones from Iran after depleting stockpile, White House says |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-military-cooperation-d982dd3faf78fbb17dfc8b9c1cb9dae7 |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> in November 2023, the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]] (IRIAF) finalized arrangements to acquire Russian [[Sukhoi Su-35]] fighter jets, [[Mil Mi-28]] attack helicopters, air defence and missile systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Iran finalises deal buy russian fighter jets |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-finalises-deal-buy-russian-fighter-jets-tasnim-2023-11-28/ |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-28 |title=Iran Finalizes Deal to Buy Russian Fighter Jets - Tasnim |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-finalizes-deal-to-buy-russian-fighter-jets---tasnim-/7373046.html |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Helou |first=Agnes |date=2023-11-28 |title=Iran claims it has finalized long-awaited deal for Russian fighter jets, helos |url=https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2023/11/iran-claims-it-has-finalized-long-awaited-deal-for-russian-fighter-jets-helos/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Breaking Defense |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dangwal |first=Ashish |date=2023-11-28 |title=Su-35 Flankers: Iran Says 'Deal Done' To Acquire Russian Military Aircraft Inc Su-35 Fighters, Mi-28 Choppers |url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/su-35-flankers-iran-says-deal-done-to-acquire-russian-military-aircraft/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News |language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[Islamic Republic of Iran Navy|Iranian Navy]] has considerable presence in the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iranian Navy Reiterates Plans for a Base in Antarctica |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/iranian-navy-reiterates-plans-for-a-base-in-antarctica |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cotovio |first=Mostafa Salem,Hamdi Alkhshali,Vasco |date=2021-06-11 |title=Iran says its naval vessels have reached the Atlantic for the first time |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/11/middleeast/iran-navy-atlantic-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-25 |title=Iranian Naval Passage Through Atlantic Prompts US Concern |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_voa-news-iran_iranian-naval-passage-through-atlantic-prompts-us-concern/6207470.html |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-02 |title=Iranian Navy ships could reach the Atlantic by Thursday |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/02/iranian-navy-ships-atlantic-by-thursday-491600 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ambitions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Pacific |url=https://www.ifri.org/en/publications/editoriaux-de-lifri/lettre-centre-asie/ambitions-islamic-republic-iran-pacific |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=www.ifri.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-28 |title=Iran Navy to expand presence to Antarctica |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/211394/Iran-Navy-to-expand-presence-to-Antarctica |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-28 |title=Iran Navy to establish base in South Pole |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/494250/Iran-Navy-to-establish-base-in-South-Pole |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran'd Navy Commander says next trip is set to South Pole |url=http://iranpress.com/aliaspage/271629 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=iranpress.com |language=en}}</ref> and [[Indian Ocean]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iddon |first=Paul |title=Iran's Naval Forces Eye Presence In Indian Ocean … Again |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2020/07/04/irans-naval-forces-eye-presence-in-the-indian-ocean--again/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-17 |title=Iran Has an Eye for Antarctica |url=https://dialogo-americas.com/articles/iran-has-an-eye-for-antarctica/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Diálogo Américas |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kubny |first=Heiner |title=Iran says it wants to set up base in Antarctica |url=https://polarjournal.ch/en/2024/01/09/iran-says-it-wants-to-set-up-base-in-antarctica/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Polarjournal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-20 |title=Why does Iran want to send a navy flotilla to Antarctica? - analysis |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-743655 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and is expanding to [[Antarctica]], namely the [[South Pole]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navy Commander: Iran to Set Up Permanent Base in Antarctica {{!}} Farsnews Agency |url=https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14020707000166/Navy-Cmmander-Iran-Se-Up-Permanen-Base-in-Anarcica |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=www.farsnews.ir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=Iran to set up permanent base in Antarctica: Navy commander |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/206537/Iran-to-set-up-permanent-base-in-Antarctica-Navy-commander |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=مددی |first=جواد |date=2023-10-22 |title=Strategic Importance of Establishing Iran's Permanent Scientific Base at the South Pole |url=https://www.scfr.ir/en/defense-security/214358/strategic-importance-of-establishing-irans-permanent-scientific-base-at-the-south-pole/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Strategic Council on Foreign Relations |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iranian Navy Aims to Raise National Flag in South Pole: Commander - Defense news |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/09/28/2963252/iranian-navy-aims-to-raise-national-flag-in-south-pole-commander |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Tasnim News Agency |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-29 |title=Iran plans to set up station for military and research operations in Antarctica |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/489541/Iran-plans-to-set-up-station-for-military-and-research-operations |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref> It also has had joint exercises with [[Russia]] and [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-02 |title=Iranian Navy ships could reach the Atlantic by Thursday |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/02/iranian-navy-ships-atlantic-by-thursday-491600 |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-25 |title=Iranian Naval Passage Through Atlantic Prompts US Concern |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_voa-news-iran_iranian-naval-passage-through-atlantic-prompts-us-concern/6207470.html |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-19 |title=Iran, Russia and China launch joint naval exercises in Indian Ocean |url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/19/iran-f19.html |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=World Socialist Web Site |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-15 |title=China, Russia, Iran hold joint naval drills in Gulf of Oman |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-russia-iran-naval-drills-oman-gulf-9f515b3246e4cbe0d98a35e8399dc177 |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-30 |title=Iran seeking joint naval drills in Caspian Sea with regional states: Khanzadi |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/153859/Iran-seeking-joint-naval-drills-in-Caspian-Sea-with-regional |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref>

=== Regional influence ===
{{Main|Iranian influence in Lebanon|Iranian intervention in the Syrian civil war|Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present)}}
[[File:Iranian Influence (2).png|thumb|255x255px|Map showing parts of Iran's significant influence and foothold, often mentioned as the "Dawn of A New Persian Empire."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Are We Witnessing The Dawn Of A New Persian Empire? |url=https://en.radiofarda.com/amp/iran-influence-in-middle-east-new-empire/28735042.html |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=en.radiofarda.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-21 |title=Piece by piece, Iran moves toward a 'new empire' |url=https://thearabweekly.com/piece-piece-iran-moves-towards-new-empire |website=UPI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dagres |first=Holly |date=2019-01-28 |title=Persia is back, but in a different form |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/iransource/persia-is-back-but-in-a-different-form/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rise of the Iranian Empire |url=http://www.thetower.org/article/the-rise-of-the-iranian-empire/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=The Tower |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Qatar |first=Middle East, politics, GCC, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nuclear deal, Yemen, Trump, MENA, Turkey, Gulf Crisis |title=Future Center - Can Iran turn itself into a "neo-Persian Empire"? |url=https://futureuae.com/en-US/Mainpage/Item/1997/far-fetched-goal-can-iran-turn-itself-into-a-neo-persian-empire |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Futureuae |language=en}}</ref>]]
Since the [[Iranian Revolution]], Iran has grown its influence across and beyond the region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-07 |title=A Revolution and A War: How Iran Transformed Today's Middle East |url=https://www.thecairoreview.com/essays/a-revolution-and-a-war-how-iran-transformed-todays-middle-east/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=The Cairo Review of Global Affairs |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-01 |title=The Challenge of Iran {{!}} The Iran Primer |url=https://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/challenge-iran |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=iranprimer.usip.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran, a Geopolitical Player in the Middle East |url=https://www.iemed.org/publication/iran-a-geopolitical-player-in-the-middle-east/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=www.iemed.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=G. P. F. |date=2018-02-16 |title=Iranian Expansion Spreads Beyond the Middle East |url=https://geopoliticalfutures.com/iranian-expansion-spreads-beyond-middle-east/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Geopolitical Futures |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New report reveals extent of Iran's growing Middle East influence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/7/new-report-reveals-extent-of-irans-growing-middle-east-influence |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> It has built military forces with a wide network of state and none-state actors, starting with [[Hezbollah]] in [[Lebanon]] in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is Hezbollah? |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hezbollah |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kane |first=J. Robert |date=2018 |title=A Life Cycle Analysis of Hezbollah: Where the Group Came from and Where It Is Going |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26566567 |journal=American Intelligence Journal |volume=35 |issue=2 |pages=67–73 |jstor=26566567 |issn=0883-072X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hezbollah's Record on War & Politics {{!}} Wilson Center |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/hezbollahs-record-war-politics |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=wilsoncenter.org |language=en}}</ref> Since its establishment as a primary branch to the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces|Iranian Army]], the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|IRGC]] has been key to Iranian influence, through its [[Quds Force]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-04-08 |title=Profile: Iran's Revolutionary Guards |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47852262 |access-date=2024-01-30 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-13 |title=Iran Deal: U.S. Sanctions on the IRGC {{!}} The Iran Primer |url=https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2022/apr/13/iran-deal-us-sanctions-irgc |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=iranprimer.usip.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-19 |title=Timeline: Iran and Hezbollah {{!}} The Iran Primer |url=https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2023/oct/19/timeline-iran-and-hezbollah |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=iranprimer.usip.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto10">{{Cite web |title=Hezbollah's Regional Activities in Support of Iran's Proxy Networks |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/hezbollahs-regional-activities-support-irans-proxy-networks |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=DeVore |first=Marc R. |date=2012 |title=Exploring the Iran-Hezbollah Relationship: A Case Study of how State Sponsorship affects Terrorist Group Decision-Making |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26296878 |journal=Perspectives on Terrorism |volume=6 |issue=4/5 |pages=85–107 |jstor=26296878 |issn=2334-3745}}</ref> The instability in Lebanon (from the 1980s),<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kliot |first=N. |date=1987 |title=The Collapse of the Lebanese State |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4283154 |journal=Middle Eastern Studies |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=54–74 |doi=10.1080/00263208708700688 |jstor=4283154 |issn=0026-3206}}</ref> [[Iraq]] (from 2003) <ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-19 |title=War, insurgency, IS and instability: Iraq since the 2003 US invasion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/19/war-insurgency-is-and-instability-iraq-since-the-2003-us-invasion |access-date=2024-01-30 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and [[Yemen]] (from 2014) <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-17 |title=The Saudi-led War in Yemen: Frequently Asked Questions {{!}} Friends Committee On National Legislation |url=https://www.fcnl.org/issues/middle-east-iran/saudi-led-war-yemen-frequently-asked-questions |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=www.fcnl.org |language=en}}</ref> have allowed Iran to build strong alliances and foothold beyond its borders. Iran has a prominent influence in the social services, education, economy and the politics of Lebanon,<ref name="auto3">{{Cite journal |jstor=resrep20960.6 |title=Hezbollahʼs Intervention in the Syrian Conflict |last1=Ali |first1=Mohanad Hage |journal=Power Points Defining the Syria-Hezbollah Relationship |date=30 January 2024 |pages=8–13 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Akbar |first=Ali |date=2023-08-08 |title=Iran's soft power in the Middle East via the promotion of the Persian language |journal=Contemporary Politics |language=en |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=424–445 |doi=10.1080/13569775.2023.2169305 |issn=1356-9775|doi-access=free }}</ref> and analysts have argued that Lebanon provides Iran access to the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tehran's Corridor to the Mediterranean Sea – EUROPolitika |url=https://www.europolitika.com/tehrans-corridor-to-the-mediterranean-sea/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-23 |title=Iran Threatens Mediterranean Closure Over Gaza Without Saying How |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-threatens-mediterranean-closure-over-gaza-without-saying-how/7409793.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> Hezbollah's strategic successes against [[Israel]], such as its symbolic victory during the [[2006 Lebanon War|2006 Israel–Hezbollah War]], elevated Iran's influence in [[Levant]] and strengthened its appeal across the [[Arab world|Arab World]].<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325065358/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Thrives In The Levant On Weakened States Threatened By Sunni Radicalism |url=https://www.hoover.org/research/iranian-corridor-middle-east-geopolitics-sectarianism-and-economic-integration |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Hoover Institution |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA560123 |title=How to Contain Iranian Influence in the Levant |language=en}}</ref>

Since the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|US invasion of Iraq in 2003]] and the arrival of [[Islamic State|ISIS]] in the mid-2010s, Iran has financed and trained militia groups in Iraq, including the [[Popular Mobilization Forces|PMF]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Feyli |first=Luca Nevola, Miran |date=2023-05-23 |title=The Muqawama and Its Enemies: Shifting Patterns in Iran-Backed Shiite Militia Activity in Iraq |url=https://acleddata.com/2023/05/23/the-muqawama-and-its-enemies-shifting-patterns-in-iran-backed-shiite-militia-activity-in-iraq/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=ACLED |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |last=Knights |first=Crispin Smith, Michael |date=2023-03-20 |title=Remaking Iraq: How Iranian-Backed Militias Captured the Country |url=https://www.justsecurity.org/85566/remaking-iraq-how-iranian-backed-militias-captured-the-country/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Just Security |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Growing Influence of Iranian-Backed Militias in Iraq |url=https://www.thecipherbrief.com/column_article/the-growing-influence-of-iranian-backed-militias-in-iraq |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=The Cipher Brief |language=en-US}}</ref> Since the [[Iran–Iraq War|Iran-Iraq war]] in 1980s and the fall of [[Saddam Hussein]], Iran has shaped Iraq's politics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Much Influence Does Iran Have in Iraq? |url=https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/how-much-influence-does-iran-have-iraq |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran is still the main foreign power in Iraq |url=https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/iran-is-still-the-main-foreign-power-in-iraq-121476 |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=ISPI |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Motamedi |first=Maziar |title=Where does Iran stand on neighbouring Iraq's political turmoil? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/31/where-does-iran-stand-on-neighbouring-iraqs-political-turmoil |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Following Iraq's struggle against the ISIS in 2014, companies linked to the IRGC such as [[Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters|Khatam al-Anbiya]], started to build roads, power plants, hotels and businesses in Iraq, creating an economic corridor worth around $9 billion before [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=افزایش صادرات ایران به عراق تا 9 میلیارد دلار/ در تجارت با منطقه جایگاه مناسبی نداریم |url=https://khabarfarsi.com/u/111389054 |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=KhabarFarsi.com |language=fa}}</ref> This number is expected to grow to $20 billion in the coming years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-23 |title=Iran-Iraq $20b trade target not out of reach: CBI governor |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/438485/Iran-Iraq-20b-trade-target-not-out-of-reach-CBI-governor |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto11">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-16 |title=Iran, Iraq targeting annual trade vol. $20b |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/165930/Iran-Iraq-targeting-annual-trade-vol-20b |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref>

During [[Yemeni civil war (2014–present)|Yemen's civil war]], Iran provided military support to the [[Houthi movement|Houthis]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Houthis, Iran, and tensions in the Red Sea |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/houthis-iran-and-tensions-red-sea |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-23 |title=How Iran Helped Houthis Expand Their Reach |url=https://warontherocks.com/2021/08/how-iran-helped-houthis-expand-their-reach/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=War on the Rocks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lester |first=Stephanie |date=2019-12-19 |title=Media Guide: Iran and the Yemeni Civil War |url=http://www.us-iran.org/resources/2019/12/19/media-guide-iran-and-the-yemeni-civil-war |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=American Iranian Council |language=en-US}}</ref> a [[Zaydism|Zaydi Shiite]] movement that has been fighting Yemen's [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] government since 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=5 Things to Know About the Houthis, Their Attacks on Israel and the U.S., and Their Treatment of Yemen's Jews {{!}} AJC |url=https://www.ajc.org/news/5-things-to-know-about-the-houthis-their-attacks-on-israel-and-the-us-and-their-treatment-of |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=www.ajc.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ignatius |first=David |date=2024-01-16 |title=Opinion {{!}} The Houthis sink an arrow into the West's Achilles' heel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/01/16/red-sea-houthis-supply-chain-disruption/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> They gaind [[Red Sea crisis|significant power]] in recent years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yemen’s Houthi rebels seize cargo ship in Red Sea |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/19/yemens-houthi-rebels-seize-cargo-ship-in-red-sea-israel-blames-iran |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |title=A ship earlier hit by Yemen's Houthi rebels sinks in the Red Sea, the first vessel lost in conflict |url=https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-rubymar-sinks-red-sea-fb64a490ce935756337ee3606e15d093 |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clinch |first=Matt |date=2022-03-25 |title=Yemen's Houthis claim attack on Aramco facility after reports of a huge fire in Saudi city of Jeddah |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/25/reports-of-huge-fire-at-aramco-oil-facility-in-saudi-arabia.html |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> Iran also has considerable influence in [[Afghanistan]] and [[Pakistan]] through various militant groups such as [[Liwa Fatemiyoun]] and [[Liwa Zainebiyoun]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-13 |title=Mission Accomplished? What’s Next for Iran’s Afghan Fighters in Syria |url=https://warontherocks.com/2018/02/mission-accomplished-whats-next-irans-afghan-fighters-syria/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=War on the Rocks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Liwa al-Fatemiyoun :: Jihad Intel |url=https://jihadintel.meforum.org/group/180/liwa-al-fatemiyoun |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=jihadintel.meforum.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-02 |title=Meet the Zainebiyoun Brigade: An Iranian Backed Pakistani Shia Militia Fighting in Syria – The OSINT Blog |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502213753/https://theosintblog.com/2016/04/28/meet-the-zainebiyoun-brigade-an-iranian-backed-pakistani-shia-militia-fighting-in-syria/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-28 |title=Iran’s Tricky Balancing Act in Afghanistan |url=https://warontherocks.com/2021/07/irans-tricky-balancing-act-in-afghanistan/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=War on the Rocks |language=en-US}}</ref>

In [[Syria]], Iran has supported President [[Bashar al-Assad]],<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto12">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-30 |title=Why is Iran Involved in Syria: A Look at Multifaceted Reasons |url=https://bestdiplomats.org/why-is-iran-involved-in-syria/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Terrill |first=W. Andrew |date=2015 |title=Iran's Strategy for Saving Asad |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43698235 |journal=Middle East Journal |volume=69 |issue=2 |pages=222–236 |doi=10.3751/69.2.1 |jstor=43698235 |issn=0026-3141}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-30 |title=Iran's Evolving Policy on Syria {{!}} The Iran Primer |url=https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2012/jul/30/iran%E2%80%99s-evolving-policy-syria |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=iranprimer.usip.org |language=en}}</ref> with the two countries being long-standing allies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Samii |first=Abbas William |date=2008 |title=A Stable Structure on Shifting Sands: Assessing the Hizbullah-Iran-Syria Relationship |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25482471 |journal=Middle East Journal |volume=62 |issue=1 |pages=32–53 |doi=10.3751/62.1.12 |jstor=25482471 |issn=0026-3141}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/> Iran has provided significant military and economic support to Assad's government,<ref name="auto12"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Update, September 20, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-september-20-2023 |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Critical Threats}}</ref> and as a result, it has a considerable foothold in Syria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=After 7 years of war, Assad has won in Syria. What's next for Washington? |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/after-7-years-of-war-assad-has-won-in-syria-whats-next-for-washington/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Brookings |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Syria's Stalemate Has Only Benefitted Assad and His Backers |url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/03/syrias-stalemate-has-only-benefitted-assad-and-his-backers |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=United States Institute of Peace |language=en}}</ref> Iran have long supported the anti-Israel fronts in [[North Africa]] in countries like [[Algeria]] and [[Tunisia]], embracing [[Hamas]] in part to help undermine the popularity of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization|Palestinian Liberation Organization]] (PLO) in North Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran and Hamas beyond the borders of the Middle East |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/iran-and-hamas-beyond-borders-middle-east |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en}}</ref> Iran's support of Hamas emerged more clearly in later years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skare |first=Erik |date=2023-12-18 |title=Iran, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad: A marriage of convenience |url=https://ecfr.eu/article/iran-hamas-and-islamic-jihad-a-marriage-of-convenience/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=ECFR |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hamas-Iran Relationship {{!}} The Washington Institute |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/hamas-iran-relationship |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=www.washingtoninstitute.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamas And Israel: Iran's Role {{!}} Wilson Center |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/hamas-and-israel-irans-role |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=www.wilsoncenter.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lillis |first=Jake Tapper, Katie Bo |date=2023-11-14 |title=Found document suggests Iran sought to help Hamas make its own weapons ahead of attack, sources say {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/politics/document-iran-hamas-weapons/index.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> According to US intelligence officials, Iran does not have full control over these state and none state groups.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-02 |title=US intelligence officials estimate Tehran does not have full control of its proxy groups |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/01/iran-proxies-intel-houthis-00139099 |url-status=live |website=Politico}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Iran|Human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran}}Iran's [[Human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran|human rights record]] is exceptionally poor.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 January 2019 |title=2018 will go down in history as a year of shame for Iran |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/01/irans-year-of-shame-more-than-7000-arrested-in-chilling-crackdown-on-dissent-during-2018/ |access-date=14 March 2019 |website=amnesty.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 March 2019 |title=Nasrin Sotoudeh sentenced to 33 years and 148 lashes in Iran |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/03/iran-shocking-33-year-prison-term-and-148-lashes-for-womens-rights-defender-nasrin-sotoudeh/ |access-date=14 March 2019 |website=amnesty.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 January 2019 |title=Iran |url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/iran |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430053909/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/iran |archive-date=30 April 2019 |access-date=30 April 2019 |website=freedomhouse.org}}</ref> The Iranian government is undemocratic,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/Democracy_Index_2017.pdf|title=Democracy Index 2017 : Free Speech Under Attack|date=30 January 2018|website=eiu.com|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/michael-j-totten/no-iran-not-democracy |access-date=3 May 2018|publisher=World Affairs Institute|last=Totten|first=Michael J.|author-link=Michael Totten|date=16 February 2016 |title=No, Iran is Not a Democracy|work=Dispatches|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504005559/http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/michael-j-totten/no-iran-not-democracy|archive-date=4 May 2018|url-status=usurped}}</ref> has frequently persecuted and arrested critics of the government, and severely restricts the participation of candidates in elections and political activities. [[LGBT rights in Iran|Sexual activity between members of the same sex]] is illegal and is [[Death penalty for homosexuality|punishable by death]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Avery |title=71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal |url=https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |work=Newsweek |date=4 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Iran defends execution of gay people |url=https://www.dw.com/en/iran-defends-execution-of-gay-people/a-49144899 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=12 June 2019}}</ref>

UN Special Rapporteur [[Javaid Rehman]] has reported discrimination against several ethnic minorities in Iran.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 October 2019 |title=Iran: UN expert says ethnic, religious minorities face discrimination |work=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] |location=New York |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2019/10/iran-un-expert-says-ethnic-religious-minorities-face-discrimination }}</ref> A group of [[United Nations|UN]] experts in 2022 urged Iran to stop "systematic persecution" of religious minorities, adding that members of the [[Baháʼí Faith]] were arrested, barred from universities, or had their homes demolished.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-22 |title=Rights experts urge Iran to end 'systematic persecution' of religious minorities |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1125162 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=[[UN News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=UN Rights Experts Call On Iran To Stop Persecution Of Baha'is, Other Religious Minorities |language=en |work=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-bahai-faith-persecution-un-rights-religious-minorities/31999696.html |access-date=2023-12-12}}</ref>

==== Censorship ====
{{Main|Censorship in Iran|Internet censorship in Iran|Mass media in Iran}}

Censorship in Iran is ranked among the most extreme worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rsf.org/en/iran|title=Iran|website=Reporters Without Borders|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119053026/https://rsf.org/en/iran|archive-date=19 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=19 April 2016|title=The World Press Freedom Index|url=https://rsf.org/en/world-press-freedom-index|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419141729/https://rsf.org/en/world-press-freedom-index|archive-date=19 April 2019|access-date=17 May 2019|website=[[Reporters Without Borders]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/iran|title=Freedom in the World 2019, Iran|date=30 January 2019|website=Freedom House|access-date=17 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430053909/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/iran|archive-date=30 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Iran also has strict regulations when it comes to [[Internet censorship in Iran|internet censorship]],<ref name="social.techcrunch.com">{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/11/17/iran-shuts-down-countrys-internet-in-the-wake-of-fuel-protests/|title=Iran shuts down country's internet in the wake of fuel protests|website=TechCrunch|date=17 November 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-24|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125171635/https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/17/iran-shuts-down-countrys-internet-in-the-wake-of-fuel-protests/|url-status=live}}</ref> with the government and the IRGC persistently blocking [[social media]] and other websites.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/21/irans-internet-blackout-enters-fifth-day-amid-fuel-price-protests.html|title=Iran's internet blackout enters fifth day as government claims victory over protesters|last=Taylor|first=Chloe|date=2019-11-21|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=2019-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155819/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/21/irans-internet-blackout-enters-fifth-day-amid-fuel-price-protests.html|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/irans-internet-has-been-shut-down-for-days-amid-protests/|title=Iran's internet has been shut down for days amid protests|last=Mihalcik|first=Carrie|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126051521/https://www.cnet.com/news/irans-internet-has-been-shut-down-for-days-amid-protests/|archive-date=26 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=9 January 2018|title=What You Need to Know about Internet Censorship in Iran|url=https://www.cigionline.org/articles/what-you-need-know-about-internet-censorship-iran|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124164741/https://www.cigionline.org/articles/what-you-need-know-about-internet-censorship-iran|archive-date=24 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-11|website=Centre for International Governance Innovation|language=en|last1=MacLellan |first1=Stephanie }}</ref> In January 2021, Iranian authorities added Signal to the list of blocked social media platforms, which included Facebook, Telegram, Twitter and YouTube. They carried out arbitrary arrests for social media postings deemed "counter-revolutionary" or "un-Islamic".<ref>{{cite web |title=Iran Archives |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/iran/report-iran/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Iran}}
{{See also|Iranian subsidy reform plan|Banking and insurance in Iran}}
[[File:Provinces of Iran by contribution to national GDP.svg|thumb|[[Provinces of Iran|Iran's provinces]] by their contribution to national GDP (2020).]]
[[File:GPD per capita development of Iran.jpg|thumb|right|Historical GDP per capita development.]]

Iran's economy is a [[Mixed economy|mixture]] of [[Planned economy|central planning]], [[state ownership]] of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.traveldocs.com/ir/economy.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608192955/http://www.traveldocs.com/ir/economy.htm|archive-date=8 June 2011 |title=Iran economy |publisher=Traveldocs.com |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> In 2022, Iran's nominal GDP was $352.2&nbsp;billion, while its nominal GDP per capita was $4,110.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |author= |date=April 2023 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2023 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/April |access-date=16 May 2023 |website=[[International Monetary Fund]] |publisher=}}</ref> The service sector contributes the largest percentage of the GDP, followed by industry ([[Mining in Iran|mining]] and manufacturing) and [[Agriculture in Iran|agriculture]].<ref>[http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-AprMay12.pdf ''Iran Investment Monthly''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031023806/http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-AprMay12.pdf |date=31 October 2013 }}. Turquoise Partners (April 2012). Retrieved 24 July 2012.</ref>

The [[Central Bank of Iran]] is responsible for developing and maintaining the [[Iranian rial]], the country's [[currency]]. The government does not recognise [[List of trade unions in Iran|trade unions]] other than the [[Iranian labor law|Islamic labour councils]], which are subject to the approval of employers and the security services.<ref name=ayatoil>{{cite news|title=Iran's banned trade unions: Aya-toiling|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21576408-though-watched-and-muzzled-independent-labour-unions-are-stirring-aya-toiling|access-date=23 June 2013|newspaper=The Economist|date=20 April 2013}}</ref> The minimum wage in June 2013 was 487 million rials a month ($134).<ref name=irannum>{{cite news|title=Iran in numbers: How cost of living has soared under sanctions|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22765716|work=BBC News|access-date=23 June 2013}}</ref> Unemployment has remained above 10% since 1997, and the unemployment rate for women is almost double that of the men.<ref name=irannum />

In 2006, about 45% of the government's budget came from oil and natural gas revenues, and 31% from taxes and fees.<ref name="payvand.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jan/1250.html |title=IRNA: Crude price pegged at dlrs 39.6 a barrel under next year's budget |publisher=Payvand.com |date=22 November 2006 |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622092858/http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jan/1250.html |archive-date=22 June 2011}}</ref> {{As of|2007}}, Iran had earned $70&nbsp;billion in [[foreign-exchange reserves]], mostly (80%) from crude oil exports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1386/3068/html/economy.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327031549/http://www.iran-daily.com/1386/3068/html/economy.htm|archive-date=27 March 2008 |title=Iran Daily Forex Reserves Put at $70b |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref> Iranian [[Politics of Iran#Budget|budget deficits]] have been a chronic problem, mostly due to [[Iranian subsidy reform plan|large-scale state subsidies]], that include foodstuffs and especially petrol, totalling more than $84&nbsp;billion in 2008 for the energy sector alone.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jan/1295.html |title=Ahmadinejad's Achilles Heel: The Iranian Economy |website=Payvand.com |access-date=18 June 2011 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010061417/http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jan/1295.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=8 January 2007|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3111/html/economy.htm|title=Energy subsidies reach $84b|publisher=Iran-Daily|access-date=27 April 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080506122659/http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3111/html/economy.htm |archive-date = 6 May 2008}}</ref> In 2010, the [[Iranian subsidy reform plan|economic reform plan]] was approved by parliament to [[Iranian subsidy reform plan|cut subsidies]] gradually and replace them with targeted social assistance. The objective is to move towards [[free market]] prices in a five-year period and increase productivity and [[social justice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://go.worldbank.org/KQD2RP3RX0 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110210062245/http://go.worldbank.org/KQD2RP3RX0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 February 2011 |title=Iran – Country Brief |publisher=Go.worldbank.org |access-date=30 January 2010 }}</ref>

The administration continues to follow the [[Iranian subsidy reform plan|market reform plans]] of the previous one, and indicates that it will diversify Iran's oil-reliant economy. Iran has also developed a [[Biotechnology in Iran|biotechnology]], [[Chemistry in Iran|nanotechnology]], and [[Pharmaceuticals in Iran|pharmaceutical]] industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nanovip.com/nanotechnology-companies/iran|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114070827/http://www.nanovip.com/nanotechnology-companies/iran|archive-date=14 November 2006 |title=List of Iranian Nanotechnology companies |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref> However, nationalised industries such as the [[bonyad]]s have often been managed badly, making them ineffective and uncompetitive. Currently, the government is trying to [[Privatization in Iran|privatise these industries]]; problems include [[Corruption in Iran|corruption in the public sector]] and lack of competitiveness.

Iran has leading manufacturing industries in the fields of automobile manufacture, transportation, construction materials, home appliances, food and agricultural goods, armaments, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and petrochemicals in the Middle East.<ref name="Economy">{{cite web|url=https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/appmanager/ukti/countries?_nfls=false&_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=CountryType1&navigationPageId=/iran |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213220829/https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/appmanager/ukti/countries?_nfls=false&_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=CountryType1&navigationPageId=%2Firan |archive-date=13 February 2006 |title=UK Trade & Investment |date=13 February 2006 |access-date=21 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> According to 2012 data from the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]], Iran is among the world's top five producers of [[apricot]]s, [[cherry|cherries]], [[Sour cherry|sour cherries]], [[cucumber]]s and [[gherkin]]s, [[Date palm#Description|dates]], [[eggplant]]s, [[common fig|figs]], [[pistachio]]s, [[quince]]s, [[walnut]]s, and [[watermelon]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title = FAOSTAT|url = http://faostat3.fao.org/browse/rankings/countries_by_commodity/E|website = faostat3.fao.org|access-date = 5 April 2015|archive-date = 28 July 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160728060615/http://faostat3.fao.org/browse/rankings/countries_by_commodity/E|url-status = dead}}</ref>

Economic [[sanctions against Iran]] have damaged the economy.<ref name=everend>{{cite news|title=Iran and sanctions: When will it ever end?|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21560596|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=23 June 2013|date=18 August 2012}}</ref> In 2015, Iran and the [[P5+1]] reached a [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|deal on the nuclear programme]] that removed the main sanctions pertaining to [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's nuclear programme]] by 2016.<ref>[http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/07/job-creation-highest-priority-post-sanctions-iran.html#ixzz3h73T6PXa Bijan Khajehpour: Preventing Iran's post-sanctions job crisis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811125700/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/07/job-creation-highest-priority-post-sanctions-iran.html |date=11 August 2016 }}. [[Al-Monitor]], 17 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.</ref> The United States under [[Presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]], [[United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|withdraw from the deal]] on May 8, 2018, causing the return of sanctions and the resumption of uranium enrichment in Iran. Various countries, international organizations, and U.S. scholars have expressed regret or criticized the withdrawal, while [[Conservatism in the United States|U.S. conservatives]], Israel and Saudi Arabia have supported it.

=== Tourism ===

{{Main|Tourism in Iran}}
[[File:Kish Island, Persian Gulf, Iran.jpg|thumb|Around 12 million tourists visit [[Kish Island]] annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kish Island, Hormozgan province - ITTO |url=https://itto.org/iran/city/Kish-Island/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=itto.org }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=بایگانی‌های Kish Island |url=https://www.mayors.asia/city/kish-island/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Asian Mayors Forum |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Discover Beautiful Kish Island |url=https://www.visitiran.ir/destination/discover-beautiful-kish-island |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=visitiran.ir |language=en}}</ref>]]
Iran's tourism had constantly been growing before the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], reaching nearly 9 million visitors in 2019, the world's third fastest-growing tourism destination before the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-18 |title=Iran's tourist arrivals grow to over 8 Million: Minister |url=https://en.irna.ir/news/83911482/Iran-s-tourist-arrivals-grow-to-over-8-million-Minister |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Irna}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-07 |title=Iran Third Fastest Growing Tourism Destination In 2019: UNWTO |url=https://www.mcth.ir/english/news/ID/50639 |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=MCTH |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180653/https://www.mcth.ir/english/news/ID/50639 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Iran's tourism experienced a growth of 48.5% in 2023, attracting over 5.2 million visitors, but 37% lower compared to the pre-COVID statistics in 2019.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=گردشگری ایران به قبل از کرونا برگشت؟ |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1402110402641/%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B4%D8%AA |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=ایسنا |language=fa}}</ref> Over 400,000 visitors were motivated by trade, medical treatment and pilgrimage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-27 |title=Iran's tourist arrivals reach 2.93 million in Jan-Jul 2023, UNWTO barometer indicates |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/489500/Iran-s-tourist-arrivals-reach-2-93-million-in-Jan-Jul-2023-UNWTO |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Minister: 4.4 million tourists have traveled to Iran in eight months |url=http://iranpress.com/aliaspage/240709 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=iranpress.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=4.4 million tourists have traveled to Iran in eight months |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/209786/4-4-million-tourists-have-traveled-to-Iran-in-eight-months |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref> In September and October 2023, Iran achieved a positive balance compared to the same period in 2019.<ref name="auto5"/> Alongside the capital, the most popular tourist destinations are [[Isfahan]], [[Shiraz]] and [[Mashhad]].<ref>[http://www.tehrantimes.com/PDF/10978/10978-7.pdf Sightseeing and excursions in Iran] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418212600/http://www.tehrantimes.com/PDF/10978/10978-7.pdf |date=18 April 2015 }}. ''Tehran Times'', 28 September 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2011.</ref> Iran is fast emerging as a preferred destination for [[medical tourism]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=Medical Tourism in Iran |url=https://www.medicaltourism.com/destinations/iran#:~:text=Iran%2C%20a%20country%20of%20rich,and%20treatments%20at%20competitive%20prices |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Medical Tourism}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-18 |title=Iran Welcomes Millions of Medical Tourists Every Year |url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/119268/iran-welcomes-millions-of-medical-tourists-every-year |website=Financial Tribune}}</ref>

1.8 million visitors from West Asia travelled to Iran in the first seven months of 2023, a 31% growth compared to the same period in 2022. This growth surpassed that of [[Bahrain]], [[Kuwait]], [[Iraq]], and [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Foreign arrivals in Iran reach 4.4 million in 8 months, up by 48.5% y/y |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/492481/Foreign-arrivals-in-Iran-reach-4-4-million-in-8-months-up-by |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref>

[[Domestic tourism]] in Iran is one of the largest in the world, with the Iranian tourists spent $33.3 billion in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=Iran's tourism among the top 20 countries |url=https://newspaper.irandaily.ir/7386/5/4874 |website=Iran Daily}}</ref><ref name="Tourism2">{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1384/2241/html/focus.htm |title=Iran-daily.com |access-date=7 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513074502/http://www.iran-daily.com/1384/2241/html/focus.htm |archive-date=13 May 2008}}</ref><ref name="BYI">{{Cite book |last1=Ayse |first1=Valentine |url=http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2fen%2febook |last2=Nash |first2=Jason John |last3=Leland |first3=Rice |date=2013 |title=The Business Year 2013: Iran |place=London |publisher=The Business Year |page=166 |isbn=978-1-908180-11-7 |access-date=23 June 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161227193349/http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2Fen%2Febook |archive-date=27 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MACooper2012">{{cite book|author1=Brian Boniface, MA|author2=Chris Cooper|author3=Robyn Cooper |title=Worldwide Destinations: The geography of travel and tourism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U9CzLp7n6mgC&pg=PA362|year=2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-00113-0|page=362}}</ref> Iran projects investment of over $32 billion in the country's tourism sector and targets 20 million tourists by 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-10 |title=Iran sets up funds for tourism development |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/480690/Iran-sets-up-fund-for-tourism-development |website=Tehran Times}}</ref>

=== Agriculture ===
{{Main|Agriculture in Iran}}
[[File:Ali Azad.jpg|thumb|[[Paddy field]] in [[Bandpey]], Northern Iran.]]
Roughly one-third of Iran's total surface area is suited for farmland, but because of poor soil and lack of adequate water distribution, only 12% of the total land area is under cultivation. Less than one-third of the cultivated area is [[irrigated]]; the rest is devoted to [[dryland farming]]. Some 92 percent of agricultural products depend on water.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foundation |first=Encyclopaedia Iranica |title=Welcome to Encyclopaedia Iranica |url=https://iranicaonline.org/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=iranicaonline.org |language=en-US}}</ref> The western and northwestern portions of the country have the most fertile soils. Iran's [[food security]] index stands at around 96 percent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-07 |title=Iran's Food Security - Future Directions International |url=http://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/iran-s-food-security/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507130724/http://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/iran-s-food-security/ |archive-date=7 May 2016 }}</ref> At the end of the 20th century, agricultural activities accounted for about one-fifth of Iran's [[GDP]] and employed a comparable proportion of the [[workforce]]. Most [[farms]] are small, less than 25 acres (10 hectares), and are not economically viable, which has contributed to the wide-scale [[urbanization]]. In addition to [[water scarcity]] and areas of poor soil, seed is of low quality and farming techniques are antiquated.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Seyf |first=Ahmad |date=1984 |title=Technical Changes in Iranian Agriculture, 1800-1906 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4283034 |journal=Middle Eastern Studies |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=142–154 |doi=10.1080/00263208408700603 |jstor=4283034 |issn=0026-3206}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FAO recognizes new Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System in Iran {{!}} United Nations in Islamic Republic of Iran |url=https://iran.un.org/en/240470-fao-recognizes-new-globally-important-agricultural-heritage-system-iran,%20https://iran.un.org/en/240470-fao-recognizes-new-globally-important-agricultural-heritage-system-iran |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=iran.un.org |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== Industry and services ===
{{Main|Industry of Iran}}
[[File:IKCO Reera 01 2023-09-01.jpg|thumb|[[Iran Khodro]] is the largest car manufacturer in the Middle East.]]
From 2008 to 2009, Iran leaped to 28th place from 69th in annual industrial production growth rate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-02-27 |title=Iran advances 41 places in industrial production |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/215089/Iran-advances-41-places-in-industrial-production |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref> Iranian [[General contractor|contractors]] have been awarded several foreign tender contracts in different fields of construction of [[List of reservoirs and dams in Iran|dams]], [[Transport in Iran|bridges, roads]], [[Construction in Iran|buildings]], [[Islamic Republic of Iran Railways|railroads]], [[List of power stations in Iran|power generation]], and [[National Iranian Oil Company|gas, oil]] and [[National Iranian Petrochemical Company|petrochemical]] industries. As of 2011, some 66 Iranian industrial companies are carrying out projects in 27 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-01 |title=Iran doing industrial projects in 27 countries |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/45255/Iran-doing-industrial-projects-in-27-countries |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref> Iran exported over $20 billion worth of technical and engineering services over 2001–2011. The availability of local raw materials, [[Mining in Iran|rich mineral reserves]], experienced manpower have all played crucial role in winning the bids.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-01-28 |title=سازمان توسعه تجارت ایران |url=http://en.tpo.ir/documents/document/11970/12498/Technical-Engineering-Services.aspx |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128131844/http://en.tpo.ir/documents/document/11970/12498/Technical-Engineering-Services.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> 45% of large industrial firms are located in [[Tehran]], and almost half of these workers work for the government.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/081006_iran_nuclear.pdf |title=The US, Israel, the Arab States and a Nuclear Iran |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=6 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806042511/http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/081006_iran_nuclear.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Iranian retail industry is largely in the hands of [[cooperative]]s, many of them government-sponsored, and of independent retailers in the [[bazaar]]s. The bulk of food sales occur at street markets, where the Chief Statistics Bureau sets the prices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-03 |title=SCT - Shopping Centers Today Online |url=http://www.icsc.org/srch/sct/sct0907/feature_iran.php |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403073459/http://www.icsc.org/srch/sct/sct0907/feature_iran.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Iran's main exports are to [[Iraq]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Tajikistan]] and other Central Asian countries, [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]], [[Pakistan]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Kuwait]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Qatar]], [[Oman]], [[Syria]], [[Germany]], [[Spain]], the [[Netherlands]], [[France]], [[Canada]], [[Venezuela]], [[Japan]], [[South Korea]] and [[Turkey]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-02-23 |title=Iran's foodstuff exports near $1b |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/214856/Iran-s-foodstuff-exports-near-1b |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-14 |title=Iran Daily - Domestic Economy - 06/11/09 |url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1388/3421/html/economy.htm |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=14 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614045854/http://www.iran-daily.com/1388/3421/html/economy.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Iran's automotive industry is the second most active industry of the country, after its oil and gas industry.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=2011-07-07 |title=Atieh Bahar - Resources - Iran's Automotive Industry Overview |url=http://www.atiehbahar.com/Resource.aspx?n=1000042 |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=7 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707182609/http://www.atiehbahar.com/Resource.aspx?n=1000042 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Iran Khodro]] is the largest car manufacturer in the Middle East, and [[Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company|ITMCO]] is biggest tractor manufacturer. Iran is the [[List of countries by motor vehicle production|12th largest automaker in the world]]. Construction is one of the most important sectors in Iran accounting for 20–50% of the total private investment.

Iran is one of the most important mineral producers in the world, ranked among 15 major mineral-rich countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MINING.COM |url=https://www.mining.com/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=MINING.COM |language=en-US}}</ref> Iran's oil and gas industry is the most active industry of the country.<ref name="auto"/> Iran has the fourth largest reserves of oil and second largest reserves of gas in the world.

Iran manufactures 60–70% of its industrial equipment domestically.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-03-29 |title=Iran Daily - Domestic Economy - 11/09/08 |url=http://www.nitc.co.ir/iran-daily/1387/3265/html/economy.htm |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=29 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110329204835/http://www.nitc.co.ir/iran-daily/1387/3265/html/economy.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Camainks |title=Overview of the Printing Industry in Iran and How to Buy Printers and Ink |url=https://camainks.com/pages/overview-of-the-printing-industry-in-iran-and-how-to-buy-printers-and-ink |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Camainks |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-02 |title=70% of Iran's medical equipment produced domestically |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/493202/70-of-Iran-s-medical-equipment-produced-domestically |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-12 |title=Official: Iran now among world's 6 turbine manufacturers - Tehran Times |url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/economy-and-business/99706-official-iran-now-among-worlds-6-turbine-manufacturers |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012033817/http://www.tehrantimes.com/economy-and-business/99706-official-iran-now-among-worlds-6-turbine-manufacturers |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Iran's domestic [[consumer electronic]] market was estimated at $7.3 billion in 2008 ($8.2 billion in 2010), with 47% market share for computer hardware, 28% Audio/Video and 25% mobile phone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-09-18 |title=Iran Daily - Domestic Economy - 08/15/09 |url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1388/3472/html/economy.htm |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=18 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918185849/http://www.iran-daily.com/1388/3472/html/economy.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-05 |title=Iran Consumer Electronics Report Q1 2010 Market Research Report - 15 December 2009 |url=http://www.companiesandmarkets.com/Summary-Market-Report/iran-consumer-electronics-report-q1-2010-279059.asp |access-date=2024-01-10  |archive-date=5 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005164825/http://www.companiesandmarkets.com/Summary-Market-Report/iran-consumer-electronics-report-q1-2010-279059.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Transportation ===
{{Main|Transport in Iran}}
[[File:Iran Air Cargo Boeing 747-200 KvW.jpg|thumb|[[Iran Air|The National Airline of Iran]], branded as Iran Air, is the flag carrier of Iran. Domestically, Iran Air is known as [[Huma bird|Huma]], which is the name of a mythical Persian bird, and the symbol of the airways.]]
In 2011 Iran had {{Convert|173000|km|mi|sp=}} of roads, of which 73% were paved.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thebusinessyear.com/publication/article/7/620/iran_2011/moving-around |title=The Business Year – Moving Around |access-date=14 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314223909/http://www.thebusinessyear.com/publication/article/7/620/iran_2011/moving-around |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008 there were nearly 100 passenger cars for every 1,000 inhabitants.<ref name="iran-daily.com">{{cite web |url=http://iran-daily.com/1386/2865/html/economy.htm |title=Iran Daily {{!}} Domestic Economy |website=iran-daily.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618004626/http://iran-daily.com/1386/2865/html/economy.htm |archive-date=18 June 2009}}</ref>
[[Tehran Metro|The Tehran Metro]] is the largest metro system in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rohde |first=Michael |title=World Metro Database - metrobits.org |url=http://mic-ro.com/metro/table.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=mic-ro.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tehran Metro |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/tehranmetro/ |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Railway Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> It carries more than 3 million passengers a day. In 2018, 820 million trips were made on Tehran Metro.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Limited |first=Alamy |title=March 18, 2023, Tehran, Tehran, Iran: A view of the Tehran metro station during the opening ceremony of 5 new stations of the Tehran Metro in the presence of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The Tehran Metro is a rapid transit system serving Tehran, the capital of Iran. It is the most extensive metro system in the Middle East. The system is owned and operated by Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway. It consists of six operational metro lines (and an additional commuter rail line), with construction underway on three lines, including the west extension of line 4, line 6 and the north and east exte Stock Photo - Alamy |url=https://www.alamy.com/march-18-2023-tehran-tehran-iran-a-view-of-the-tehran-metro-station-during-the-opening-ceremony-of-5-new-stations-of-the-tehran-metro-in-the-presence-of-iranian-president-ebrahim-raisi-the-tehran-metro-is-a-rapid-transit-system-serving-tehran-the-capital-of-iran-it-is-the-most-extensive-metro-system-in-the-middle-east-the-system-is-owned-and-operated-by-tehran-urban-and-suburban-railway-it-consists-of-six-operational-metro-lines-and-an-additional-commuter-rail-line-with-construction-underway-on-three-lines-including-the-west-extension-of-line-4-line-6-and-the-north-and-east-exte-image543264129.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=alamy.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tehran Urban & Suburban Railway Co (TUSRC) |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/maps-and-data/tehran-urban-and-suburban-railway-co-tusrc/53469.article |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en}}</ref> Trains operate on 11,106&nbsp;km (6,942&nbsp;mi) of track.<ref name="rai.ir">{{cite web |url=http://www.rai.ir/Site.aspx?ParTree=A01011 |title=Islamic Republic Of Iran Railroads :: راه آهن جمهوري اسلامي ايران |publisher=Rai.ir |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815011811/http://www.rai.ir/Site.aspx?ParTree=A01011 |archive-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The country's major port of entry is [[Bandar-Abbas]] on the [[Strait of Hormuz]]. After arriving in Iran, imported goods are distributed throughout the country by trucks and freight trains. The [[Tehran]]–[[Bandar-Abbas]] railroad connects Bandar-Abbas to the railroad system of Central Asia via Tehran and [[Mashhad]]. Other major ports include [[Bandar-e Anzali|Bandar e-Anzali]] and [[Bandar Torkaman|Bandar e-Torkeman]] on the [[Caspian Sea]] and [[Khorramshahr]] and [[Bandar Imam|Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni]] on the [[Persian Gulf]].

[[List of airports in Iran|Dozens of cities have airports]] that serve passenger and cargo planes. [[Iran Air]], the national airline, was founded in 1962 and operated domestic and international flights. All large cities have mass transit systems using buses, and several private companies provide bus services between cities.

Transport in Iran is inexpensive because of [[Iranian Economic Reform Plan|the government's subsidization of the price of petrol]]. The downside is a [[Iranian targeted subsidy plan|huge draw on government coffers]], economic inefficiency because of highly [[energy in Iran|wasteful consumption patterns]], [[2007 Gasoline Rationing Plan in Iran#Fuel smuggling|smuggling to neighbouring countries]] and [[Environmental issues in Iran|air pollution]]. In 2008, more than one million people worked in the transportation sector, accounting for 9% of GDP.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web |url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3298/html/economy.htm |title=Iran Daily {{!}} Domestic Economy |website=iran-daily.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603054002/http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3298/html/economy.htm |archive-date=3 June 2009}}</ref>

=== Energy ===

{{Main|Energy in Iran|Petroleum industry in Iran|Nuclear programme of Iran|Foreign direct investment in Iran}}
[[File:South Pars Onshore Facilities (8).jpg|thumb|[[South Pars/North Dome Gas-Condensate field|South Pars Gas-Condensate field]] in [[Bushehr province]], the world's largest [[natural gas field]]. It holds 8% of the world's total gas reserves.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-18 |title=Gas compression at South Pars |url=https://en.shana.ir/news/472739/Gas-compression-at-South-Pars |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Shana |language=en}}</ref>]]
Iran has the world's second largest proved [[Natural gas reserves in Iran|gas reserves]], with 33.6&nbsp;trillion [[cubic metre]]s,<ref name="The Wall Street Journalgas">{{cite news|title=BP Cuts Russia, Turkmenistan Natural Gas Reserves Estimates |url=http://www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/127044/BP_Cuts_Russia_Turkmenistan_Natural_Gas_Reserves_Estimates |access-date=24 June 2013 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal.com |date=12 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619152119/http://www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/127044/BP_Cuts_Russia_Turkmenistan_Natural_Gas_Reserves_Estimates |archive-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> and the [[List of countries by natural gas production|third largest natural gas production]]. It also ranks fourth in [[Oil reserves in Iran|oil reserves]] with an estimated 153,600,000,000 barrels.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2178rank.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613005503/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2178rank.html|archive-date=13 June 2007 |title=CIA.gov |publisher=CIA.gov |access-date=7 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Iran/Background.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402152533/http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Iran/Background.html|archive-date=2 April 2009 |title=Iran – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) |publisher=Eia.doe.gov |access-date=7 April 2012}}</ref> It is [[OPEC]]'s second largest oil exporter. Despite this, Iran spent $4&nbsp;billion on fuel imports as of 2005 due to a lack of domestic refining capacity.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kim Murphy  |url=http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/205986/3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118000204/http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/205986/3/ |archive-date=18 January 2007 |title=U.S. targets Iran's vulnerable oil |publisher=Heraldextra.com |date=7 January 2007 |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> Oil industry output averaged {{convert|4|Moilbbl/d|m3/d}} in 2005, compared with the peak of six million barrels per day reached in 1974.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iranian oil production: from global domination to subjugation under sanctions |url=https://iranopendata.org/en/pages/iranian-oil-production-from-global-domination-to-subjugation-under-sanctions |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Iran Open Data |language=en}}</ref>

In 2004, a large share of [[natural gas reserves in Iran|Iran's natural gas reserves]] were untapped. The addition of new [[hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] stations and the streamlining of conventional coal and oil-fired stations increased installed capacity to 33,000 megawatts. Of that amount, 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 [[Solar power|solar]] thermal plant was to come online in 2009. Iran is the world's third country to have developed [[Gas to liquids|GTL]] technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Iran-Besieged-by-Gasoline-Sanctions-Develops-GTL-to-Extract-Gasoline-from-Natural-Gas.html |title=Iran, Besieged by Gasoline Sanctions, Develops GTL to Extract Gasoline from Natural Gas |publisher=Oilprice.com |access-date=7 February 2012}}</ref>

[[Demographics of Iran|Demographic]] trends and intensified industrialization have caused [[electric power]] demand to grow by 8% per year. The government's goal of 53,000 megawatts of installed capacity by 2010 is to be reached by bringing on line [[List of power stations in Iran|new gas-fired plants]], and adding hydropower and nuclear power generation capacity. [[Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant|Iran's first nuclear power plant]] went online in 2011. It is the second [[nuclear power plant]] in the Middle East.<ref name="nuclear">{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Iran.pdf |title=Iran |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="MüllerMüller2015">{{cite book|author1=Daniel Müller|author2=Professor Harald Müller|title=WMD Arms Control in the Middle East: Prospects, Obstacles and Options|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PoFTBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA140|date= 2015|publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.|isbn=978-1-4724-3593-4|page=140}}</ref>

== Education, science, technology and telecommunications ==

=== Science and technology ===
{{Main|Science and technology in Iran}}[[File:طوسی ایران.jpg|left|thumb|[[Nasir al-Din al-Tusi]], a Persian [[polymath]], [[architect]], [[Early Islamic philosophy|philosopher]], [[Islamic medicine|physician]], [[Islamic science|scientist]], and [[Kalam|theologian]].]]
Iran has made considerable advances in science and technology, despite international sanctions during the past 30 years. In recent years, the growth in Iran's scientific output is reported to be the fastest in the world. In the biomedical sciences, Iran's [[Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics]] has a [[UNESCO]] chair in biology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibb.ut.ac.ir/ |title=Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics |publisher=Ibb.ut.ac.ir |date=2 February 2011 |access-date=18 June 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022062049/http://www.ibb.ut.ac.ir/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In late 2006, [[List of contemporary Iranian scientists, scholars, and engineers|Iranian scientists]] successfully [[Cloning|cloned]] a sheep at the Royan Research Center in Tehran.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=17674 |title=The first successfully cloned animal in Iran |publisher=Middle-east-online.com |date=30 September 2006 |access-date=21 June 2013 |archive-date=28 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028014352/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=17674 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Stem cell]] research in Iran is among the top 10 in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://isg-mit.org/projects-storage/StemCell/stem_cell_iran.pdf |title=Iranian Studies Group at MIT |access-date=25 August 2010 |archive-date=2 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002222401/http://isg-mit.org/projects-storage/StemCell/stem_cell_iran.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Iran ranks 15th in the world in [[nanotechnology|nanotechnologies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nano.ir/?lang=2index.php/news/show/1477|title=INIC – News – 73% of Tehran's Students Acquainted with Nanotechnology|publisher=En.nano.ir|date=18 January 2010|access-date=1 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015234940/http://nano.ir/?lang=2index.php%2Fnews%2Fshow%2F1477|archive-date=15 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/bm/newsworld.php?id=453647|title=Iran Ranks 15th in Nanotech Articles|publisher=Bernama|date=9 November 2009|access-date=1 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1388/3372/html/science.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415053429/http://www.iran-daily.com/1388/3372/html/science.htm|archive-date=15 April 2009 |title=Iran daily: Iranian Technology From Foreign Perspective |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref> Iranian scientists outside Iran have also made some major contributions to science. In 1960, [[Ali Javan]] co-invented the first [[gas laser]], and [[fuzzy set]] theory was introduced by [[Lotfi A. Zadeh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www-bisc.cs.berkeley.edu/Zadeh-1965.pdf |title=Project Retired – EECS at UC Berkeley |work=berkeley.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127005930/http://www-bisc.cs.berkeley.edu/Zadeh-1965.pdf |archive-date=27 November 2007 }}</ref> Iranian cardiologist [[Tofy Mussivand|Tofigh Mussivand]] invented and developed the first artificial cardiac pump, the precursor of the [[artificial heart]]. Furthering research and treatment of diabetes, the [[Glycated hemoglobin|HbA1c]] was discovered by [[Samuel Rahbar]]. A substantial number of papers in [[string theory]] are published in Iran.<ref name="Nasr2007">{{cite book|author=Vali Nasr|title=The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a-QH_CxIFTEC&pg=PA213|year=2007|publisher=W.W. Norton|isbn=978-0-393-06640-1|page=213}}</ref> In August 2014, Iranian mathematician [[Maryam Mirzakhani]] became the first woman, as well as the first Iranian, to receive the [[Fields Medal]], the highest prize in mathematics.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Ben Mathis-Lilley|title=A Woman Has Won the Fields Medal, Math's Highest Prize, for the First Time|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/08/12/first_female_fields_medal_winner_maryam_mirzakhani_of_stanford.html|website=Slate|publisher=Graham Holdings Company|access-date=14 August 2014|date=12 August 2014}}</ref>
Iran has increased its publication output nearly tenfold from 1996 through 2004, and has been ranked first in terms of output growth rate, followed by China.<ref>{{cite web |author= Expert:VSR.Subramaniam |url= http://experts.about.com/q/Economics-2301/economic.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120426170542/http://en.allexperts.com/q/Economics-2301/economic.htm |archive-date=26 April 2012 |title= Economics: economic, medical uses of alcohol, uses of alcohol |publisher=Experts.about.com |date=18 October 2006 |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> According to a study by [[SCImago Journal Rank|SCImago]] in 2012, Iran would rank fourth in the world in terms of research output by 2018, if the current trend persists.<ref name="SCImago_December_2012c">{{cite web |url=http://www.scimagolab.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/forecasting-excercise.pdf |title=Forecasting Exercise |newspaper=SCImago |date=2012 |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010055804/http://www.scimagolab.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/forecasting-excercise.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Iranian humanoid robot [[Surena (robot)|Sorena 2]], which was designed by engineers at the [[University of Tehran]], was unveiled in 2010. The [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] (IEEE) has placed the name of Surena among the five prominent robots of the world after analyzing its performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1389/8/18/MainPaper/3817/Page/1/Index.htm |title=No. 3817 &#124; Front page &#124; Page 1 |publisher=Irandaily |access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Iran}}
{{See also|Dar ul-Funun (Persia)}}[[File:Sharif University of Technology.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sharif University of Technology]], in Tehran.]]

Education in Iran is highly centralised. [[K–12]] is supervised by the [[Ministry of Education (Iran)|Ministry of Education]], and higher education is under the supervision of the [[Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (Iran)|Ministry of Science and Technology]]. According to [[UNESCO]], Iran's literacy rate among people aged 15 years and older was 85.54% as of 2016, with men (90.35%) being significantly more educated than women (80.79%).<ref>{{cite web|date=27 November 2016|title=Iran (Islamic Republic of)|url=http://uis.unesco.org/en/country/ir|access-date=29 July 2020|website=uis.unesco.org}}</ref> According to this report, Iranian government expenditure on education amounts to around 4% of the GDP.

The requirement to enter into higher education is to have a [[high school diploma]] and pass the [[Iranian University Entrance Exam]] (the ''konkur''). Many students do a 1–2-year course of [[University-preparatory school|pre-university]] (''piš-dānešgāh'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabiancampus.com/studyiniran/edusys.htm|title=Study in Iran :: Iran Educational System|author=Peter Krol|work=arabiancampus.com|access-date=26 October 2015}}</ref> Iran's higher education is sanctioned by different levels of diplomas, including an [[associate degree]] (''kārdāni''; also known as ''fowq e diplom'') delivered in two years, a [[bachelor's degree]] (''kāršenāsi''; also known as ''lisāns'') delivered in four years, and a [[master's degree]] (''kāršenāsi e aršad'') delivered in two years, after which another exam allows the candidate to pursue a doctoral programme ([[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]]; known as ''doktorā'').<ref name="wes.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.wes.org/ca/wedb/iran/firedov.htm |title=WEP-Iran |publisher=Wes.org |access-date=7 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224011506/http://www.wes.org/ca/wedb/iran/firedov.htm |archive-date=24 February 2012 }}</ref>

According to the [[Webometrics Ranking of World Universities]] ({{as of|2017|January|lc=y}}), Iran's top five universities include [[Tehran University of Medical Sciences]] (478th worldwide), the [[University of Tehran]] (514th worldwide), [[Sharif University of Technology]] (605th worldwide), [[Amirkabir University of Technology]] (726th worldwide), and the [[Tarbiat Modares University]] (789th worldwide).<ref>{{cite web |title=Iran (Islamic Republic of) |url= http://www.webometrics.info/en/Asia/Iran%20%28Islamic%20Republic%20of%29 |publisher=Ranking Web of Universities |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> Iran was ranked 62nd in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2023, up from 67th in 2020.<ref>{{Cite book|last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/index.html |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=wipo.int |date=30 December 2023 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |isbn=9789280534320 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Release of the Global Innovation Index 2020: Who Will Finance Innovation?|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/index.html|access-date=2 September 2021|website=wipo.int|language=en}}</ref>

=== Iranian Space Agency ===
{{Main|Iranian Space Agency|Iranian Space Research Center|Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force}}
[[File:Safir navid 1.jpg|thumb|The historic launch of [[Safir (rocket)|Safir]].]]
The [[Iranian Space Agency]] (ISA) was established on 28 February 2004. Iran became an orbital-launch-capable nation in 2009,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Fathi |first1=Nazila |last2=Broad |first2=William J. |date=2009-02-03 |title=Iran Launches Satellite in a Challenge for Obama |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/world/middleeast/04iran.html |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and is a founding member of the [[United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space]]. Iran placed its domestically built [[satellite]] [[Omid]] into orbit on the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Revolution, on 2{{nbsp}}February 2009,<ref name="HarveySmid2011">{{cite book|author1=Brian Harvey|author2=Henk H. F. Smid|author3=Theo Pirard|title=Emerging Space Powers: The New Space Programs of Asia, the Middle East and South-America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XD1ZaYbiWwMC&pg=PA293|year=2011|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1-4419-0874-2|page=293}}</ref> through its first expendable launch vehicle [[Safir (rocket)|Safir]], becoming the [[Timeline of first orbital launches by country|ninth country]] in the world capable of both producing a satellite and sending it into [[space]] from a domestically made [[launch pad|launcher]].<ref name="Hvac-conference.ir_November_29_2015c">{{cite web |url=http://www.hvac-conference.ir/files/content/ICHVAC5_Brochure.pdf |title=The 6th International Conference on Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning |website=Hvac-conference.ir |date=2015 |access-date=29 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208142627/http://www.hvac-conference.ir/files/content/ICHVAC5_Brochure.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Simorgh (rocket)|Simorgh's launch]] in 2016, is the successor of Safir.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Stephen Clark |date=2009-02-02 |title=Iran Launches Omid Satellite Into Orbit |url=https://www.space.com/5432-iran-launches-omid-satellite-orbit.html |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Space.com |language=en}}</ref>

On January 20, 2024, Iran launched the [[Soraya (satellite)|Soraya satellite]] into its highest orbit yet (750&nbsp;km),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-20 |title=Iran Launches Soraya Satellite Into Orbit 750 Km Above Earth - Iran Front Page |url=https://ifpnews.com/iran-soraya-satellite-orbit-750-km-earth/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=ifpnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran says it launched a satellite despite Western concerns – DW – 01/20/2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/iran-says-it-launched-a-satellite-despite-western-concerns/a-68041834 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> a new space launch milestone for the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran says launches satellite in new aerospace milestone |url=https://phys.org/news/2024-01-iran-satellite-aerospace-milestone.html |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=phys.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Presse |first=AFP-Agence France |title=Iran Says Launches Satellite In New Aerospace Milestone |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/iran-says-launches-satellite-in-new-aerospace-milestone-5935a502 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=barrons.com |language=en-US}}</ref> It was launched by [[Qaem 100|Qaem 100 rocket]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=Iran's Soraya satellite signals received on earth |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/211087/Iran-s-Soraya-satellite-signals-received-on-earth |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran's Soraya Satellite Signals Received on Earth - Space/Science news |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2024/01/21/3026481/iran-s-soraya-satellite-signals-received-on-earth |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Tasnim News Agency |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran successfully launches Soraya satellite using Qa'im 100 carrier |url=http://iranpress.com/aliaspage/271060 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=iranpress.com |language=en}}</ref>

On January 28, 2024, Iran successfully launched three indigenous satellites, The Mahda, Kayan and Hatef,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran says it launches 3 satellites into space-Xinhua |url=https://english.news.cn/20240128/f0acca839b4b434f979ad239c00f79e5/c.html |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=english.news.cn}}</ref> into orbit using the [[Simorgh (rocket)|Simorgh]] carrier rocket.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran launches three satellites simultaneously for first time – DW – 01/28/2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/iran-launches-three-satellites-simultaneously-for-first-time/a-68105298 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-28 |title=Iran launches 3 satellites into space that are part of a Western-criticized program as tensions rise |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-satellite-launch-us-ballistic-missiles-israel-hamas-74bcd3eb7e48a31be4f52b8d86d24721 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> It was the first time in country's history that it simultaneously sent three satellites into space.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-28 |title=Iran simultaneously launches three satellites - state media |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/iran-simultaneously-launches-three-satellites-state-media/articleshow/107200287.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-01-28 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-28 |title=Iran Conducts Second Controversial Satellite Launch In One Week |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202401288496 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Iran International |language=en}}</ref> The three satellites are designed for testing advanced satellite subsystems, space-based positioning technology, and narrowband communication.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran launches three satellites amid rising tensions with Western powers |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/iran-launches-three-satellites-amid-rising-tensions-with-western-powers |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

On February 29, 2024, Iran launched its domestically developed imaging satellite, Pars 1, from Russia into orbit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran launches ‘domestically developed’ imaging satellite from Russia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/29/iran-launches-domestically-developed-imaging-satellite-from-russia |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Online {{!}} |first=E. T. |date=2024-02-29 |title=Iran launches Pars 1 satellite from Russia amidst Western concern over Moscow-Tehrain ties |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/iran-launches-pars-1-satellite-from-russia-amidst-western-concern-over-moscow-tehrain-ties/videoshow/108112811.cms |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=The Economic Times |language=en}}</ref> This was done for the second time since August 2022, when Russia launched another Iranian remote-sensing, [[Khayyam satellite|The Khayyam satellite]], into orbit from [[Kazakhstan]], reflecting deep scientific cooperation between the two countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Motamedi |first=Maziar |title=Russia launches Iranian satellite into space from Kazakhstan base |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/9/russia-launches-iranian-satellite-into-space-from-kazakhstan-base |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia launches Soyuz rocket into space carrying Iranian satellite Pars-I |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-launches-soyuz-rocket-into-space-carrying-iranian-satellite-695097 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=WION |language=en-us}}</ref>

The [[Iranian nuclear programme]] was launched in the 1950s. Iran is the world's 7th country to produce [[uranium hexafluoride]], and controls the entire [[nuclear fuel cycle]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-04-11-iran-nuclear_N.htm|title=Iran says it controls entire nuclear fuel cycle|newspaper=USA Today|date=11 April 2009|access-date=18 December 2013}}</ref>

=== Telecommunication ===
{{Main|Communications in Iran|Telecommunication Company of Iran|Iran Electronics Industries}}
[[Communications in Iran|Iran's telecommunications]] industry is almost entirely state-owned, dominated by the [[Telecommunication Company of Iran]] (TCI). Fixed-line penetration in 2004 was relatively well-developed by regional standards, at 22 lines per 100 people, compared with Egypt with 14. Iran had more than one [[mobile phone]] per inhabitant by 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-05-12 |title=Iran reaches 100 percent telecommunications penetration: BMI - Telecoms & IT - Zawya |url=http://www.zawya.com/story/Iran_reaches_100_telecommunications_penetration_BMI-ZAWYA20120412035355/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512215456/http://www.zawya.com/story/Iran_reaches_100_telecommunications_penetration_BMI-ZAWYA20120412035355/ |archive-date=12 May 2012 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-07-03 |title=National Security and the Internet in the Persian Gulf: Iran |url=http://www.georgetown.edu/research/arabtech/pgi98-4.html |access-date=2024-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703041209/http://www.georgetown.edu/research/arabtech/pgi98-4.html |archive-date=3 July 2007 }}</ref> Iran has been awarded the UNESCO special certificate for providing telecommunication services to rural areas. By the end of 2009, Iran's telecom market was the fourth-largest market in the region at $9.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-31 |title=The Big Connection - The Business Year |url=https://thebusinessyear.com/article/the-big-connection/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=thebusinessyear.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Demographics ==

{{Main|Demographics of Iran}}
{{multiple image
| perrow            = 1
| total_width       = 240
| image1            = Provinces of Iran by population.svg
| image2            = Iran Counties by Population (2021).svg
| footer            = Population of Iranian provinces and counties in 2021.
}}

Iran's population grew rapidly from about 19&nbsp;million in 1956 to about 85 million by February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=درگاه ملی آمار |url=https://amar.org.ir/statistical-information |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=درگاه ملی آمار ایران}}</ref> However, Iran's [[Total fertility rate|fertility rate]] has dropped dramatically, from 6.5 children born per woman to about 1.7 two decades later,<ref>Latest Statistical Center of Iran fertility rate statistics (published February 2023). [https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/PropertyAgent/461/Files/26322/Mizan_Barvari_Kol_1400.xlsx xlsx] at [https://www.amar.org.ir/%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%88-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7/%D8%B3%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C/agentType/ViewType/PropertyTypeID/1936 page].</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Roser|first=Max|date=19 February 2014|title=Fertility Rate|url=https://ourworldindata.org/fertility-rate|journal=Our World in Data}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Children per woman|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-per-woman-UN|access-date=11 July 2020|website=Our World in Data}}</ref> leading to a population growth rate of about 1.39% as of 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population growth (annual %) – Iran, Islamic Rep. {{!}} Data|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW?locations=IR&view=chart|access-date=11 July 2020|website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref> Due to its young population, studies project that the growth will continue to slow until it stabilises around 105&nbsp;million by 2050.<ref name="bureau">U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2005. Unpublished work tables for estimating Iran's mortality. Washington, D.C.:
Population Division, International Programs Center</ref><ref name="payvand">{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/04/aug/1017.html|title=Iran's population growth rate falls to 1.5 percent: UNFP|first=Payvand.com|last=Iran News|access-date=18 October 2006|archive-date=27 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227193340/http://www.payvand.com/news/04/aug/1017.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/DataQuery/|title=World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations|website=esa.un.org|access-date=25 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919061238/https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/DataQuery/|archive-date=19 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Iran hosts one of the largest [[refugee]] populations, with almost one million,<ref>{{cite web|title=Refugee population by country or territory of asylum – Iran, Islamic Rep. {{!}} Data|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.POP.REFG?end=2019&locations=IR&start=1990&view=chart|access-date=11 July 2020|website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref> mostly from [[Afghan refugees|Afghanistan]] and [[Iraq]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=77107 |title=Afghanistan-Iran: Iran says it will deport over one million Afghans |publisher=Irinnews.org |date=4 March 2008 |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref> According to estimates, about five million Iranian citizens have emigrated to other countries, mostly since the 1979 Revolution.<ref name="Ganji2002">{{cite book|author=Manouchehr Ganji|title=Defying the Iranian Revolution: From a Minister to the Shah to a Leader of Resistance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NboVl-CeYs0C&pg=PA210|year=2002|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-97187-8|page=210}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=424 |title=Migration Information Institute: Characteristics of the Iranian Diaspora |publisher=Migrationinformation.org |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref>

According to the [[Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Iranian Constitution]], the government is required to provide every citizen with access to [[social security]], covering retirement, unemployment, old age, [[disability]], accidents, calamities, health and medical treatment and care services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/library/77421/june2003/ppt/w1/iran.pdf |title=Iran Social Security System |publisher=World Bank |date=2003 |access-date= 30 November 2015}}</ref> This is covered by [[Taxation in Iran|tax revenues]] and income derived from public contributions.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://aprendeenlinea.udea.edu.co/revistas/index.php/lecturasdeeconomia/article/view/15770/17868 |title=Is tax funding of health care more likely to be regressive than systems based on social insurance in low and middle-income countries? |newspaper=Universidad de Antioquia |date=2013 |author=Aurelio Mejía |issue=78 |pages=229–239 |access-date=30 November 2015 |archive-date=16 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216074956/http://aprendeenlinea.udea.edu.co/revistas/index.php/lecturasdeeconomia/article/view/15770/17868 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Languages ===

{{Main|Languages of Iran}}
[[File:I am Cyrus, Achaemenid King - Pasargady01.jpg|thumb|"I am [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] the king, an [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid]]." in [[Old Persian cuneiform|Old Persian]], [[Elamite language|Elamite]] and [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] languages, [[Pasargadae]]. [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]].]]
The majority of the population speaks [[Persian language|Persian]], the [[official language]] of the country.<ref name="AO">{{Cite web |title=Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran, Chapter II: The Official Language, Script, Calendar, and Flag of the Country, Article 15 |url=https://www.iranchamber.com/government/laws/constitution_ch02.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730024031/https://www.iranchamber.com/government/laws/constitution_ch02.php |archive-date=30 July 2022 |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=Iran Chamber Society}}</ref> Others include speakers of several other [[Iranian languages]] within the greater [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] family and languages belonging to some other ethnicities living in Iran.

The [[Gilaki language|Gilaki]] and [[Mazanderani language|Mazenderani]] languages are widely spoken in [[Gilan Province|Gilan]] and [[Mazandaran Province|Mazenderan]], in northern Iran. The [[Talysh language]] is also spoken in parts of Gilan. Varieties of [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]] are concentrated in the province of [[Kurdistan Province|Kurdistan]] and nearby areas. In [[Khuzestan Province|Khuzestan]], [[Persian dialects in Khuzestan|several distinct varieties of Persian]] are spoken. Southern Iran also houses the [[Luri language|Luri]] and [[Achomi language|Lari]] languages.

[[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]], the most-spoken minority language in the country,<ref>Annika Rabo, Bo Utas. [https://books.google.com/books?id=rWEbrv5oD8AC ''The Role of the State in West Asia''] Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul, 2005 {{ISBN|91-86884-13-1}}</ref> and other [[Turkic languages]] and dialects are found in various regions, especially [[Azerbaijan (Iran)|Azerbaijan]].

Notable minority languages in Iran include [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Georgian language|Georgian]], [[Neo-Aramaic languages|Neo-Aramaic]], and [[Arabic]]. [[Khuzestani Arabic|Khuzi Arabic]] is spoken by the [[Ahwazi Arabs|Arabs in Khuzestan]], and the wider group of [[Iranian Arabs]]. [[Circassian languages|Circassian]] was also once widely spoken by the large Circassian minority, but, due to assimilation, no sizable number of Circassians speak the language anymore.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA141 ''Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East''] Facts On File, Incorporated {{ISBN|1-4381-2676-X}} p. 141</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/georgia-iv--2 |title=Georgia viii: Georgian communities in Persia |last1=Oberling |first1=Pierre |date=7 February 2012 |website=[[Encyclopaedia Iranica]] |access-date=9 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mcha.kbsu.ru/english/m_hist_01E.htm.html |title=Circassian |publisher=Official Circassian Association |access-date=9 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035542/http://mcha.kbsu.ru/english/m_hist_01E.htm.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://iranian.com/Travelers/June97/Chardin/index.shtml |title=Persians: Kind, hospitable, tolerant flattering cheats? |first1=Sir John |last1=Chardin |author-link=Jean Chardin |date=June 1997 |journal=[[Iranian.com|The Iranian]] |access-date=9 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970620173929/http://www.iranian.com/Travelers/June97/Chardin/index.shtml |archive-date=20 June 1997 |url-status=live}} Excerpted from:
* {{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5jPL0A31H5MC&pg=PA183 |chapter=Book 2, Chapter XI: Of the Temper, Manners, and Customs of the Persians: A XVII th. Century Viewpoint |first1=Sir John |last1=Chardin |author-link=Jean Chardin |title=Travels in Persia, 1673–1677 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5jPL0A31H5MC |location=New York |publisher=Dover Publications |year=1988 |pages=183–197 |isbn=978-0-486-25636-8 |oclc=798310290 |access-date=9 June 2014}}</ref>

Percentages of spoken language continue to be a point of debate, most notably regarding the largest and second largest ethnicities in Iran, the Persians and [[Azerbaijanis]]. Percentages given by the [[CIA]]'s [[World Factbook]] include 53% Persian, 16% [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]], 10% [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]], 7% [[Mazanderani language|Mazenderani]] and [[Gilaki language|Gilaki]], 7% [[Luri language|Luri]], 2% [[Turkmen language|Turkmen]], 2% [[Balochi language|Balochi]], 2% [[Arabic]], and 2% the remainder [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Georgian language|Georgian]], [[Neo-Aramaic languages|Neo-Aramaic]], and [[Circassian languages|Circassian]].<ref name="CIA" />

=== Ethnic groups ===

{{Main|Ethnicities in Iran}}

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. [[The World Factbook]] has estimated that around 79% of the population of Iran is a diverse [[Proto-Indo-Europeans|Indo-European]] [[ethnolinguistics|ethno-linguistic group]],<ref>J. Harmatta in "History of Civilizations of Central Asia", Chapter 14, ''The Emergence of Indo-Iranians: The Indo-Iranian Languages'', ed. by A. H. Dani & V.N. Masson, 1999, p. 357</ref> with [[Persian people|Persians]] (including [[Mazanderani people|Mazenderanis]] and [[Gilaks]]) constituting 61% of the population, [[Kurds]] 10%, [[Lurs]] 6%, and [[Baloch people|Balochs]] 2%. Peoples of other ethnolinguistic groups make up the remaining 21%, with [[Iranian Azerbaijanis|Azerbaijanis]] constituting 16%, [[Arabs]] 2%, [[Turkmens]] and other [[Turkic peoples|Turkic tribes]] 2%, and others (such as [[Iranian Armenians|Armenians]], [[Talysh people|Talysh]], [[Iranian Georgians|Georgians]], [[Circassians in Iran|Circassians]], [[Iranian Assyrians|Assyrians]]) 1%.<ref name="CIA" />

The [[Library of Congress]] issued slightly different estimates: 65% Persians (including Mazenderanis, Gilaks, and the Talysh), 16% Azerbaijanis, 7% Kurds, 6% Lurs, 2% Baloch, 1% Turkic tribal groups (including [[Qashqai people|Qashqai]] and [[Turkmens]]), and non-Iranian, non-Turkic groups (including Armenians, Georgians, Assyrians, Circassians, and Arabs) less than 3%.<ref name="loc2">{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/cs/pdf/CS_Iran.pdf#27 |title=Country Profile: Iran |publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]] |location=Washington, D.C. |date=May 2008 |page=xxvi|access-date=9 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="CIA" /><ref>{{cite web |title=World Heritage List |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/ |publisher=[[UNESCO]]}}</ref>

=== Health ===
{{Main|Healthcare in Iran}}
[[File:Razavihospital faz2.jpg|thumb|[[Razavi Hospital]], accredited by [https://accreditation.ca/ ACI] for its quality [[Health care|Health Services]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=سایت |first=مدیر |date=2023-12-28 |title=گفتگو با استادی که مبتکروآغاز کننده روش های جدید جراحی مغز در دانشگاه علوم پزشکی مشهد است |url=https://razavihospital.ir/%DA%AF%D9%81%D8%AA%DA%AF%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%AA%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A2%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%B1%D9%88/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=بیمارستان رضوی |language=fa-IR}}</ref>]]
Healthcare is provided by the public-governmental system, the private sector, and [[NGO]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-10 |title=Filepool - Detail {{!}} Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran |url=http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2fen%2febook |access-date=2024-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010112638/http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2fen%2febook |archive-date=10 October 2016 }}</ref> The healthcare sector's market value in Iran was almost US$24 billion in 2002.

The country faces the common problem of other [[Demographics of Iran|young demographic nations]] in the region, which is keeping pace with growth of an already huge demand for various public services. An anticipated increase in the population growth rate will increase the need for [[public health]] infrastructures and services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-01 |title=Payvand |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/09/apr/1027.html |website=Payvand |access-date=1 January 2024 |archive-date=29 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129222751/http://www.payvand.com/news/09/apr/1027.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Total health spending was equivalent to 6% of GDP in Iran in 2017. About 90% of Iranians have some form of [[health insurance]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-17 |title=Iran Health Insurance in Brief |url=http://www.arkanteb.com/site/en/tips/69-iran-health-insurance-in-brief.html |access-date=2024-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817173914/http://www.arkanteb.com/site/en/tips/69-iran-health-insurance-in-brief.html |archive-date=17 August 2016 }}</ref> Iran is also the only country with a [[Organ trade#Iran|legal organ trade]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Movassagh |first=Hooman |date=2016-04-24 |title=Human Organ Donations under the "Iranian Model": A Rewarding Scheme for U.S. Regulatory Reform? |url=https://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/ihlr/article/view/21140 |journal=Indiana Health Law Review |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=82–118 |doi=10.18060/3911.0013 |issn=2374-2593}}</ref> Iran has been able to extend public health [[Preventive medicine|preventive services]] through the establishment of an extensive [[Primary Health Centre|Primary Health Care Network]]. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=kental_tour |date=2023-01-24 |title=Iran health care ranking |url=https://kentaltravel.com/blog/iran-health-care-ranking/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Kental Travel |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Iran}}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:1em; font-size: 88%; float:right; clear:right"
|+ Iranian people by religion, <br /> 2011 General Census Results<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2011 |title=Selected Findings of the 2011 National Population and Housing Census |url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/census/documents/Iran/Iran-2011-Census-Results.pdf |website=United Nations |publisher=Statistical Center of Iran}}</ref><br/><small>Note: other groups are officially excluded</small>
|- style="background:#ccf;"
| style="text-align:center" | '''Religion''' || style="background:#ccf; text-align:center" | '''Percent''' || style="background:#ccf; text-align:center" | '''Number'''
|-
| [[Islam in Iran|Muslim]] || style="text-align:center" | 99.3789% || style="text-align:right" | 74,682,938
|-
| [[Christianity in Iran|Christian]] || style="text-align:center" | 0.1566% || style="text-align:right" | 117,704
|-
| [[Zoroastrians in Iran|Zoroastrian]] || style="text-align:center" | 0.0336% || style="text-align:right" | 25,271
|-
| [[Persian Jews|Jewish]] || style="text-align:center" | 0.0117% || style="text-align:right" | 8,756
|-
| Other || style="text-align:center" | 0.0653% || style="text-align:right" | 49,101
|-
| Undeclared || style="text-align:center" | 0.3538% || style="text-align:right" | 265,899
|}

[[Twelver]] Shia Islam is the official [[state religion]], to which about 90% to 95% of the population adhere.<ref>{{cite book|author=Walter Martin|title=Kingdom of the Cults, The|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yra4KhlMBYQC&pg=PA421|access-date=24 June 2013|quote=Ninety-five percent of Iran's Muslims are Shi'ites.|year=2003|publisher=Baker Books|isbn=978-0-7642-2821-6|page=421}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Bhabani Sen Gupta|title=The Persian Gulf and South Asia: prospects and problems of inter-regional cooperation|quote=Shias constitute seventy-five percent of the population of the Gulf. Of this, ninety-five percent of Iranians and sixty of Iraqis are Shias.|year=1987|publisher=South Asian Publishers|isbn=978-81-7003-077-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/persiangulfsouth0000unse/page/158 158]|url=https://archive.org/details/persiangulfsouth0000unse/page/158}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/iran/|title=Iran|accessdate=8 March 2024}}</ref> According to the [[World Values Survey]], 96.6% of Iranians believe in Islam, but 14.3% identify as not religious.<ref name="worldvaluessurvey.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSDocumentationWV7.jsp|title = WVS Database}}</ref> A self-selecting social media-based Gamaan survey found only 40.4% identified as Muslim, and 22.2% identified with no religion.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |title=Iranians’ Attitudes Toward Religion: A 2020 Survey Report |url=https://gamaan.org/2020/08/25/iranians-attitudes-toward-religion-a-2020-survey-report/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran (GAMAAN)}}</ref><ref name="conversation-shift">{{cite web|last1=Maleki|first1=Ammar|last2=Arab|first2=Pooyan Tamimi|title=Iran's secular shift: new survey reveals huge changes in religious beliefs|url=http://theconversation.com/irans-secular-shift-new-survey-reveals-huge-changes-in-religious-beliefs-145253|access-date=11 September 2020|website=The Conversation|date=10 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> About 4% to 8% of the population are [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslims]], mainly [[Iranian Kurds|Kurds]] and [[Baloch people|Baloches]]. Other religious minorities include [[Christianity in Iran|Christians]], [[Baháʼí Faith in Iran|Baháʼís]], [[Irreligion in Iran|agnostics]], [[Zoroastrians in Iran|Zoroastrians]], [[Persian Jews|Jews]],<ref name="CIA" /> [[Mandaeans]]<ref name="saving">{{cite web|last=Contrera |first=Russell |url=http://www.hollandsentinel.com/lifestyle/x1558731033/Saving-the-people-killing-the-faith |title=Saving the people, killing the faith |location=Holland, MI |work=The Holland Sentinel |access-date=7 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306012853/http://www.hollandsentinel.com/lifestyle/x1558731033/Saving-the-people-killing-the-faith |archive-date=6 March 2012 }}</ref> and [[Yarsanism|Yarsanis]]. Iran was scored zero out of 4 for religious freedom by [[Freedom House]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Iran: Freedom in the World 2024 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/iran/freedom-world/2024 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref> [[File:ImamReza(A).jpg|thumb|[[Imam Reza shrine]] in [[Mashhad]], the largest mosque in the world by area.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Andrew |date=2007-06-02 |title=Inside Iran's Holy Money Machine |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB118072271215621679 |access-date=2024-01-15 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>]]
There is a large population of adherents of [[Yarsanism]], a [[Kurds in Iran|Kurdish]] indigenous religion,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-11-13 |title=In pictures: Inside Iran's secretive Yarsan faith |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50378946 |access-date=2024-03-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Monazzami |first=Ardeshir |date=2022-02-20 |title=Rereading the Religiosity of Yarsan |url=https://adyan.urd.ac.ir/article_136086_en.html |journal=Religious Research |language=en |volume=9 |issue=18 |pages=143–167 |doi=10.22034/jrr.2021.261350.1805 |issn=2345-3230}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Men and women have equal rights in the Yarsan community’ |url=https://test.jinhaagency.com/en/community-life/men-and-women-have-equal-rights-in-the-yarsan-community-33444 |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=JINHAGENCY News |language=en}}</ref> estimated to be over half a million{{sfnp|Hamzeh'ee|1990|p=39}} to one million followers.<ref>''Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa'' (Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2004) p. 82</ref> The [[Baháʼí Faith]] is not officially recognized and has been subject to official persecution.<ref name="fdih2">{{cite web |author=International Federation for Human Rights |date=1 August 2003 |title=Discrimination against religious minorities in Iran |url=http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ir0108a.pdf |access-date=3 September 2020 |publisher=fdih.org |page=6}}</ref> According to the [[United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran]], Baháʼís are the largest non-Muslim religious minority in Iran, with an estimated 350,000 adherents.<ref name="UNSRHRI">{{cite conference |last=Rehman |first=Javaid |date=18 July 2019 |title=Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran |url=https://undocs.org/en/A/74/188 |conference=74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly |location=New York |publisher=United Nations |page=13 |access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref> Since the Revolution, the [[persecution of Baháʼís]] has increased.<ref name="fdih2" /><ref name="ihrdc">{{cite web |author=Iran Human Rights Documentation Center |year=2007 |title=A Faith Denied: The Persecution of the Bahá'ís of Iran |url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/pdfs/Reports/bahai_report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611140854/http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/pdfs/Reports/bahai_report.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2007 |access-date=19 March 2007 |publisher=Iran Human Rights Documentation Center}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kamali |first=Saeed |date=27 February 2013 |title=Bahá'í student expelled from Iranian university 'on grounds of religion' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/27/bahai-student-expelled-iranian-university |access-date=21 June 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Ghara kilisa(2).jpg
| width1            = 225
| caption1          = [[Monastery of Saint Thaddeus]], one of the world's oldest church buildings.
| alt1              = 
| image2            = Zoroastrian fire temple in Yazd.png
| width2            = 225
| caption2          = [[Fire Temple of Yazd]], the most important [[Zoroastrian]] fire temple in the world.
}}

[[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], and the Sunni branch of Islam are officially recognised by the government and have reserved seats in the Iranian Parliament.<ref name="Colin Brock p 99" /> Iran has the largest Jewish population in the Middle East outside of Israel.<ref>{{cite web |title=In Iran, Mideast's largest Jewish population outside Israel finds new acceptance by officials |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/11/26/in-iran-mideast-largest-jewish-population-outside-israel-finds-new-acceptance |access-date=1 September 2015 |website=[[Fox News]]}}</ref> Around 250,000 to 370,000 [[Christianity in Iran|Christians reside in Iran]],<ref name="Worldpopulationreview.com_November_29_2015c">{{cite web |date=2015 |title=Iran Population 2015 |url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/iran-population/ |access-date=29 November 2015 |newspaper=World Population Review}}</ref><ref>Country Information and Guidance "Christians and Christian converts, Iran" December 2014. p.9</ref> and Christianity is the country's largest recognised minority religion.<ref>{{citation |title=2011 General Census Selected Results |page=26 |year=2012 |url=http://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/Files/abstract/1390/n_sarshomari90_2.pdf |publisher=Statistical Center of Iran |isbn=978-964-365-827-4}}</ref> Most are of Armenian background, as well as a sizable minority of Assyrians.<ref name="IRFR2009-Iran">{{cite web |author=U.S. State Department |date=26 October 2009 |title=Iran – International Religious Freedom Report 2009 |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127347.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029231558/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127347.htm |archive-date=29 October 2009 |publisher=The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affair}}</ref> The Iranian government has supported the rebuilding and renovation of Armenian churches, and has supported the [[Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran]]. In 2019, the government registered the [[Vank Cathedral]], in the [[New Julfa]] district of [[Isfahan]], as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Currently three Armenian churches in Iran have been included in the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]].<ref>[https://ancawr.org/iran-to-register-armenian-cathedral-in-isfahan-as-unesco-world-heritage-site/ "Iran to Register Armenian Cathedral in Isfahan as UNESCO World Heritage Site"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425221459/https://ancawr.org/iran-to-register-armenian-cathedral-in-isfahan-as-unesco-world-heritage-site/ |date=25 April 2021 }}. ''Armenian National Committee of America''. Retrieved 25 April 2021.</ref><ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1262/ Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran]. ''Unesco.org''. Retrieved 25 April 2021.</ref>

== Culture ==

{{Main|Culture of Iran}}

=== Art ===

{{Main|Persian art{{!}}Iranian art|Arts of Iran|Iranian modern and contemporary art}}
The art of Iran encompasses many disciplines, including [[stonemasonry]], [[metalworking]], [[Persian pottery|pottery]], [[Persian miniature|painting]], and [[Persian calligraphy|calligraphy]]. Iranian works of art show a great variety in style, in different regions and periods.<ref>{{cite book |first1=F. |last1=Hole |first2=K. V. |last2=Flannery |title=Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society |date=1968}}</ref> The art of the Medes has been theoretically attributed to the [[Scythian art|Scythian style]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]] |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/art-in-iran-ii-median |title=Art in Iran |trans-title=ii. Median Art and Architecture |volume=II |pages=565–569 |access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> The Achaemenids borrowed heavily from the art of their neighbouring civilizations,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FNLsjZuatMsC |title=Achaemenid Culture and Local Traditions in Anatolia, Southern Caucasus and Iran: New Discoveries |first1=Askolʹd Igorevich |first2=Vaxtang |last1=Ivanchik |last2=Ličʻeli |author-link=Askold Ivanchik |publisher=BRILL |page=117 |year=2007|isbn=978-90-04-16328-7 }}</ref> but produced a synthesis of a unique style.<ref>{{cite book| author1=Lipiński, Edward |author2=Van Lerberghe, Karel |author3=Schoors, Antoon |title=Immigration and emigration within the ancient Near East |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=thIxCmwfNoMC |year=1995 |publisher=Peeters Publishers |isbn=978-90-6831-727-5 |page=119}}</ref> Greek iconography was imported by the [[Seleucid Empire|Seleucids]], followed by the recombination of [[Hellenistic art|Hellenistic]] and earlier Near Eastern elements in the [[Parthian art|art of the Parthians]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/art-in-iran-iv-parthian |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]] |volume=II |pages=580–585 |title=ART IN IRAN |trans-title=iv. Parthian Art }}</ref>

By the time of the Sasanians, Iranian art came across a general renaissance.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sasanian-dynasty |title=Sāsānian dynasty |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |date=18 July 2017 |quote=Under the Sāsānians Iranian art experienced a general renaissance.}}</ref> During the Middle Ages, Sasanian art played a prominent role in the formation of both European and Asian mediaeval art.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parstimes.com/history/title.html |title=Iran – A country study |publisher=Parstimes.com |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.levity.com/alchemy/islam16.html |title=History of Islamic Science 5 |publisher=Levity.com |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="Iran in Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Afary |first=Janet |title=Iran |year=2006 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=29 October 2007 |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9106324/Iran}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/art-in-iran-xii-iranian-pre-islamic-elements-in-islamic-art |title=Art in Iran |trans-title=xii. Iranian Pre-Islamic Elements in Islamic Art |volume=II |pages=549–646 |access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref>
The Safavid era is known as the ''Golden Age'' of Iranian art.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q6i8NQAACAAJ |author=Canby, Sheila R. |publisher=British Museum Press |year=2002 |title=The Golden Age of Persian Art: 1501–1722|isbn=978-0-7141-2404-9 }}</ref> [[Safavid art]] exerted noticeable influences upon the neighbouring [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]], the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]], and the [[Deccan sultanates|Deccans]], and was also influential through its fashion and garden architecture on 11th–17th-century Europe.
[[File:Mirror Hall by Kamal-ol-molk.JPG|thumb|[[Kamal-ol-molk]]'s ''[[Mirror Hall]] of [[Golestan Palace]],'' often considered a starting point in [[Iranian modern and contemporary art|Iranian modern art]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kamal-al-molk-mohammad-gaffari |title=Kamāl-al-Molk, Moḥammad Ḡaffāri |volume=XV |pages=417–433 |access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>]]
Iran's [[Iranian modern and contemporary art|contemporary art]] traces its origins to the time of [[Kamal-ol-molk]],<ref name="IrMo">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/art-in-iran-xi-post-qajar- |title=Art in Iran|trans-title=xi. Post-Qajar (Painting) |volume=II |pages=640–646 |access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> a prominent [[realism (arts)|realist]] painter at the court of the [[Qajar dynasty]] 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 Kamal-ol-Molk in 1928,<ref name="IrMo" /> and was followed by the so-called "coffeehouse" style of painting.

Iran's [[avant-garde]] modernists emerged by the arrival of new western influences during World War II.<ref name="IrMo" /> The vibrant contemporary art scene originates in the late 1940s, and Tehran's first modern art gallery, Apadana, was opened in September 1949 by painters Mahmud Javadipur, Hosein Kazemi, and Hushang Ajudani.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSKMk4dmPVwC |title=Picturing Iran |trans-title=Art, Society and Revolution |first1=Lynn |last1=Gumpert |first2=Shiva |last2=Balaghi |page=48 |year=2002 |publisher=I.B. Tauris|isbn=978-1-86064-883-0 }}</ref> The new movements received official encouragement by the mid-1950s,<ref name="IrMo" /> which led to the emergence of artists such as [[Marcos Grigorian]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Art in America: Modernity and revolution: a recent show of Iranian art focused on the turbulent time from 1960 to 1980, juxtaposing formally inventive works of art with politically charged photographs and posters – Art & Politics – Between Word and Image: Modern Iranian Visual Culture|date=25 November 2004 |website=looksmart |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1248/is_2_91/ai_97551434 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041125121857/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1248/is_2_91/ai_97551434|archive-date=25 November 2004}}</ref>

=== Architecture ===

{{Main|Iranian architecture|Persian gardens}}
[[File:Naqsh-e Jahan Square collage.png|thumb|281x281px|[[Naqsh-e Jahan Square]] in [[Isfahan]], [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]].]]
The history of architecture in Iran goes back to the seventh millennium BC,<ref>{{cite book |author=Pope, Arthur Upham |title=Introducing Persian Architecture |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=London |date=1971|author-link=Arthur Upham Pope }}</ref> with [[Achaemenid architecture|an eclectic architecture]] remaining at sites such as [[Persepolis]] and [[Pasargadae]]. The Iranians made early use of [[mathematics]], [[geometry]] and [[astronomy]] in their architecture, yielding a tradition with both great structural and aesthetic variety.<ref>{{cite book |author=Pope, Arthur Upham |title=Persian Architecture |url=https://archive.org/details/persianarchitect0000unse |url-access=registration |publisher=[[George Braziller]] |location=New York |date=1965 |page=[https://archive.org/details/persianarchitect0000unse/page/266 266]|author-link=Arthur Upham Pope }}</ref> The guiding [[motif (visual arts)|motif]] of Iranian architecture is its cosmic symbolism.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Ardalan, Nader |author2=[[Laleh Bakhtiar|Bakhtiar, Laleh]]. |title=The Sense of Unity: The Sufi Tradition in Persian Architecture |date=2000 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-1-871031-78-2}}</ref> Iran ranks seventh among [[UNESCO]]'s list of countries with the most archaeological ruins and attractions from antiquity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.american.edu/ted/iran-tour.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124090123/http://www1.american.edu/ted/iran-tour.htm|archive-date=24 November 2010 |title=Virtual Conference |publisher=American.edu |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> Iranian architecture displays great variety, both structural and aesthetic, from a variety of traditions and experience. Without sudden innovations, and despite the repeated trauma of invasions and cultural shocks, it developed a recognizable style distinct from other regions of the Muslim world. Its virtues are "a marked feeling for form and scale; structural inventiveness, especially in [[Vault (architecture)|vault]] and [[Gonbad|dome]] construction; a genius for decoration with a freedom and success not rivalled in any other architecture".<ref>{{Citation |title=Arthur Upham Pope |date=2023-10-12 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arthur_Upham_Pope&oldid=1179835502 |access-date=2024-03-18 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Weaving ===

{{Main|Persian carpet}}
Iran's carpet-weaving has its origins in the [[Bronze Age]] and is one of the most distinguished manifestations of Iranian art. Iran is the world's largest producer and exporter of handmade carpets, producing three-quarters of the world's output and having a share of 30% of export markets.<ref name="Goswami2009">{{cite book|author=K K Goswami|title=Advances in Carpet Manufacture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-cekAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA148|year=2009|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-1-84569-585-9|page=148}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Khalaj |first=Mehrnosh |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5a5c0444-1669-11df-bf44-00144feab49a.html?ftcamp=rss |title=Iran's oldest craft left behind |publisher=Financial Times |date=10 February 2010 |access-date=4 October 2013|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 2010, the "traditional skills of carpet weaving" in [[Fars province|Fars Province]] and [[Kashan]] were inscribed to the [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage]] List.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNESCO - Traditional skills of carpet weaving in Fars |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-skills-of-carpet-weaving-in-fars-00382 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=ich.unesco.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UNESCO - Traditional skills of carpet weaving in Kashan |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-skills-of-carpet-weaving-in-kashan-00383 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=ich.unesco.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-12-08 |title=Iran's carpet washing ritual registered on UNESCO representative list |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/53059/Iran-s-carpet-washing-ritual-registered-on-UNESCO-representative |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref> Carpet weaving is an essential part of [[Persian culture]] and [[Iranian art]]. Within the group of [[Oriental rug]]s produced by the countries of the "rug belt", the Persian carpet stands out by the variety and elaborateness of its manifold designs. Carpets woven in towns and regional centres like [[Tabriz rug|Tabriz]], [[Kerman carpet|Kerman]], [[Ravar]], [[Neyshabour]], [[Mashhad]], [[Kashan]], [[Isfahan rug|Isfahan]], [[Nain rug|Nain]] and [[Qom rug|Qom]] 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 and utilitarian value and prestige since the first time they were mentioned by [[ancient Greek]] writers.

=== Literature ===
{{Main|Literature in Iran|Iranian literature|Persian literature}}
[[File:Hafez_880714_095.jpg|thumb|Tomb of [[Hafez]], an influential [[Persian literature|Persian poet]] from the mediaeval period. ]]
Iran's oldest [[literature|literary tradition]] is that of [[Avestan]], the [[Old Iranian]] [[sacred language]] of the [[Avesta]], which consists of the legendary and religious texts of [[Zoroastrianism]] and the [[ancient Iranian religion]].<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Indo-Iranian Journal |title=A Glossary of Terms for Weapons and Armor in Old Iranian|first=W.W. |last=Malandra |volume=15 |issue=4|pages=264–289|year=1973 |location=Philadelphia |publisher=Brill |jstor=24651454|doi=10.1163/000000073790079071|s2cid=162194727}}</ref>

[[Persian language|Persian]] is considered one of the four main bodies of world literature.<ref>{{cite book |author1=David Levinson |author2=Karen Christensen |title=Encyclopedia of Modern Asia: Iaido to Malay |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediamode02levi_463 |url-access=limited |year=2002 |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons |isbn=978-0-684-80617-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediamode02levi_463/page/n97 48]}}</ref> The Persian language was used and developed further through [[Persianate society|Persianate societies]] in [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]], [[Central Asia]], and [[South Asia]], leaving extensive influences on [[Ottoman poetry|Ottoman]] and [[Persian language in the Indian subcontinent|Mughal literatures]], among others. Iran has a number of famous mediaeval poets, most notably [[Rumi]], [[Ferdowsi]], [[Hafez]], [[Saadi Shirazi|Sa'adi]], [[Omar Khayyam]], and [[Nizami Ganjavi|Nezami Ganjavi]].<ref>{{cite book|author=François de Blois |title=Persian Literature: A Bio-bibliographical Survey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F-lH8aQ9-HsC&pg=363|access-date=21 June 2013|volume=5|date=April 2004|publisher=Routledge|quote=Nizami Ganja'i, whose personal name was Ilyas, is the most celebrated native poet of the Persians after Firdausi.|isbn=978-0-947593-47-6|page=363}}</ref>

=== World Heritage Sites ===
{{Main|List of World Heritage Sites in Iran|Iran National Heritage List|}}
Iran ranks 10th globally in terms of [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO-listed monuments]], with 27.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-07 |title=Iran ranks 10th at UNESCO world heritage registration list |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/163202/Iran-ranks-10th-at-UNESCO-world-heritage-registration-list |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref> These include [[Persepolis]], [[Naqsh-e Jahan Square|Naghsh-e Jahan Square]], [[Chogha Zanbil]], [[Pasargadae]], [[Golestan Palace]], [[Arg-e Bam]], [[Behistun Inscription]], [[Shahr-e Sukhteh]], [[Susa]], [[Takht-e Soleymān|Takht-e Soleyman]], [[Hyrcanian forests]], the city of [[Yazd]] and more. Iran also has 24 [[Intangible cultural heritage|Intangible Cultural Heritage]], or "Human treasures", which ranks 5th worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Iran secures 5th place worldwide for UNESCO-listed intangible treasures |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/492297/Iran-secures-5th-place-worldwide-for-UNESCO-listed-intangible |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=asadian |date=2023-12-06 |title=Iran Reached 5th in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list |url=https://en.shafaqna.com/340309/iran-reached-5th-rank-in-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage-list/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=International Shia News Agency |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Dance ===
{{Main|Iranian dance|Classical Persian dance|}}
[[File:Dancers on a piece of ceramic from CheshmeAli, Iran, 5000 BC, Louvre.jpg|thumb|Dancers on a piece of ceramic from [[Cheshmeh-Ali (Shahr-e-Rey)|Cheshmeh-Ali]] (Shahr-e-Rey), Iran, 5000 BC.|left]]
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 many archaeological prehistoric sites.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foundation |first=Encyclopaedia Iranica |title=Welcome to Encyclopaedia Iranica |url=https://iranicaonline.org/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=iranicaonline.org |language=en-US}}</ref> Genres of dance in Iran vary depending on the area, culture, and language of the local people, and can range from sophisticated reconstructions of refined court dances to energetic [[folk dance]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=A Brief Introduction to Iranian Dance |url=http://www.laurelvictoriagray.com/persian-dance.html |website=Laurel Victoria Gray}}</ref> 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 from [[Herodotus]]. Iran was occupied by foreign powers, causing a slow disappearance of heritage dance traditions. The Qajar dynasty had an important influence on Persian dance. In this period, a style of dance began to be called "[[classical Persian dance]]". Dancers performed artistic dances in the court of the king for entertainment purposes such as coronations, marriage celebrations, and [[Nowruz|Norouz]] celebrations. In the 20th century, the music came to be orchestrated and dance movement and costuming gained a modernistic orientation to the West. In 1928, ballet came to Iran and impacted dance performance.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

=== Philosophy ===
{{Main|Ancient philosophy#Ancient Iranian philosophy|Iranian philosophy}}
The [[Cyrus Cylinder]], which is known as "the first charter of [[human rights]]", is often seen as a reflection of the questions and thoughts expressed by [[Zoroaster]] and developed in Zoroastrian schools of the Achaemenid era.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor=Kreyenbroek, Philip G. |title=Morals and Society in Zoroastrian Philosophy" in "Persian Philosophy |encyclopedia=Companion Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy |first1=Brian |last1=Carr |first2=Indira |last2=Mahalingam |publisher=Routledge |year=2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor=Boyce, Mary |title=The Origins of Zoroastrian Philosophy" in "Persian Philosophy |encyclopedia=Companion Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy |first1=Brian |last1=Carr |first2=Indira |last2=Mahalingam |publisher=Routledge |year=2009}}</ref> The earliest tenets of Zoroastrian schools are part of the extant scriptures of the Zoroastrian religion in [[Avestan]]. Among them are treatises such as the Zatspram, [[Shikand-gumanig Vizar|Shkand-gumanik Vizar]], and [[Denkard]], as well as older passages of the Avesta and the [[Gathas]].<ref>{{cite book |title=An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia: From Zoroaster to Omar Khayyam |first1=S.H. |last1=Nasr |first2=M. |last2=Aminrazavi |publisher=I.B. Tauris |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-84511-541-8}}</ref> Contemporary Iranian philosophy has been limited in its scope by intellectual repression.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ayatollahy|first=Hamidreza|title=Philosophy in Contemporary Iran|journal=Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia|year=2006|volume=62|issue=2/4|pages=811–816|jstor=40419494}}</ref> [[Scholars Pavilion]] is a monument donated by Iran to the [[United Nations Office at Vienna]]. The monument architecture is Persian [[Achaemenid architecture]], with the statues of Iranian mediaeval scholars, [[Omar Khayyam]], [[Al-Biruni]], [[Rhazes]] and [[Avicenna]] inside the pavilion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Nations Information Service Vienna |url=https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/index.html |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=United Nations : Information Service Vienna |language=en}}</ref>

=== Folklore ===
{{Main|Iranian folklore|}}
[[File:Rostam and Sohrab Statue 01.jpg|thumb|Statue of [[Rostam and Sohrab]] tragedy, two of the greatest Persian heroes, in [[Sabzevar]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rustam, mythological Iranian hero |url=http://www.ferdowsihotel.com/Blog/PostDetails/32/Rustam-mythological-Iranian-hero |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=www.ferdowsihotel.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rostam, the Hero of Heroes |url=https://irantour.tours/iran-blog/rostam,-the-hero-of-heroes.html |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=irantour.tours}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-30 |title=Rostam and Sohrab: 'A Story Filling the Eyes with Tears' |url=https://www.leidenmedievalistsblog.nl/articles/rostam-and-sohrab-a-story-filling-the-eyes-with-tears |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=www.leidenmedievalistsblog.nl |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=نصب تندیس رستم و سهراب در باغ ملی سبزوار: پايگاه خبري سبزوار پيام |url=http://www.sabzevarpayam.com/news.php?id=5824 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=sabzevarpayam.com}}</ref>]]
[[Storytelling]] has an significant presence in Iranian folklore and culture.<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web |last=Foundation |first=Encyclopaedia Iranica |title=Welcome to Encyclopaedia Iranica |url=https://iranicaonline.org/ |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=iranicaonline.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UNESCO - Naqqāli, Iranian dramatic story-telling |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/naqqli-iranian-dramatic-story-telling-00535 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=ich.unesco.org |language=en}}</ref> In classical Iran, minstrels performed for their audiences at royal courts<ref name="auto6"/> and in public theatres.<ref name="auto6"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-20 |title=Persian Poetry and Its Evolution in Pre-Islamic Royal Courts |url=https://old.saednews.com/en/post/persian-poetry-and-its-evolution-in-pre-islamic-royal-courts |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=old.saednews.com |language=fa}}</ref> A minstrel was referred to by the [[Parthian Empire|Parthians]] as [[Gusans|gōsān]], and by the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanians]] as huniyāgar.<ref name="auto6"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-15 |title=MYTHOLOGIES OF PERSIA (IRAN) |url=https://indigenouspeoplenet.wordpress.com/2023/02/14/mythologies-of-persia-iran/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Indigenous Peoples Literature |language=en}}</ref> Since the [[Safavid Iran|Safavid Empire]], storytellers and poetry readers appeared at coffeehouses.<ref name="auto6"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Khandwala |first=Anoushka |date=2021-03-30 |title=From the Grounds Up: Coffeeshops and the History of Iranian Art |url=https://elephant.art/from-the-grounds-up-coffeeshops-and-the-history-of-iranian-art-30032021/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=ELEPHANT |language=en-US}}</ref> After the [[Iranian Revolution]], it took until 1985 to found the [[Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts|MCHTH]] (Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Cultural Heritage, Handcraft and Tourism Organization |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0016051/ |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Library of Congress}}</ref> a now heavily centralized organization, supervising all kinds of cultural activities. It held the first scientific meeting on anthropology and folklore in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Cultural Heritage, Handcraft and Tourism Organization |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0016051/ |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref>

=== Mythology ===

{{Main|Persian mythology|}}
[[File:Persepolis_griffin_capitals.jpg|thumb|[[Huma bird|The Huma]], a mythical bird of Persian legends and fables.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nair |first=Nitten |date=2022-01-21 |title=Huma Bird : The Bird of Fortune |url=https://mythlok.com/huma-bird/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Mythlok |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Huma Bird of Iranian Legend – Cultured Chef |url=https://www.culturedchef.com/the-huma-bird-of-iranian-legend/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
[[Persian mythology|Iranian mythology]] consists of ancient [[Iranian folklore]] and stories of extraordinary beings reflecting on [[good and evil]] ([[Ahura Mazda]] and [[Ahriman]]), actions of the gods, and the exploits of heroes and creatures. The tenth-century Persian poet, [[Ferdowsi]], is the author of the [[national epic]] known as the ''[[Shahnameh|Šāhnāme]]'' ("Book of Kings"), which is for the most part based on ''Xwadāynāmag'', a [[Middle Persian]] compilation of the history of Iranian kings and heroes,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ferdowsi#ref69128 |title=Ferdowsī |author=Boyle, John Andrew |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> as well as the stories and characters of the [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] tradition, from the texts of the [[Avesta]], the [[Denkard]], the [[Vendidad]] and the [[Bundahishn]].

=== Music ===

{{Main|Music of Iran}}
[[File:Museum of Persepolis Darafsh (16) (cropped).JPG|thumb|[[Zurna|Karna]], an ancient Iranian musical instrument from the sixth century BC, kept at the Persepolis Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-26 |title=2600-Year-Old Instrument on Display in Persepolis Museum |url=https://ifpnews.com/2600-year-old-instrument-display-persepolis-museum/ |website=IFP News}}</ref>]]
Iran is the apparent birthplace of the earliest complex instruments, dating to the third millennium BC.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/music-history-i-pre-islamic-iran |title=Music History |trans-title=i. Third Millennium B.C.E. |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica |last1=Foundation |first1=Encyclopaedia Iranica }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is tertiary|date=January 2024}} The use of [[angular harp]]s have been documented at the sites Madaktu and [[Kul-e Farah]], with the largest collection of [[Elam]]ite instruments documented at Kul-e Farah. [[Xenophon]]'s ''[[Cyropaedia]]'' mentions singing women at the court of the [[Achaemenid Empire]]. Under the [[Parthian Empire]], the ''[[Gusans|gōsān]]'' ([[Parthian language|Parthian]] for "minstrel") had a prominent role in society.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]] |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/gosan |title=GŌSĀN |volume=Xi |pages=167–170 |access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is tertiary|date=January 2024}}

The history of [[Sasanian music]] is better documented than the earlier periods and is especially more evident in Avestan texts.<ref name=EI-mhphi>{{harv|Lawergren|2009}} iv. First millennium C.E. (1) Sasanian music, 224–651.</ref> By the time of [[Khosrow II|Chosroes II]], the Sasanian royal court hosted a number of prominent musicians, namely Azad, [[Bamshad]], [[Barbad]], [[Nagisa (harpist)|Nagisa]], Ramtin, and [[Sarkash]]. Iranian traditional musical instruments include string instruments such as [[chang (instrument)|chang]] ([[harp]]), [[qanun (instrument)|qanun]], [[santur]], [[rud]] ([[oud]], [[barbat (lute)|barbat]]), [[tar (string instrument)|tar]], [[dutar|dotar]], [[setar]], [[tanbur]], and [[kamancheh|kamanche]], wind instruments such as [[sorna]] ([[zurna]], [[karnay|karna]]) and [[ney]], and percussion instruments such as [[tonbak|tompak]], [[kus]], [[daf]] ([[dayereh|dayere]]), and [[naqareh|naqare]].

Iran's first symphony orchestra, the [[Tehran Symphony Orchestra]], was founded by Qolam-Hoseyn Minbashian in 1933. By the late 1940s, [[Ruhollah Khaleqi]] founded the country's first national music society and established the School of National Music in 1949.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/story/2006/11/061113_pm-mk-khaleghi.shtml|title=BBCPersian.com|work=BBC|access-date=26 October 2015}}</ref>

[[Iranian pop music]] has its origins in the Qajar era.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranchamber.com/music/articles/pop_music_iran.php|title=Iran Chamber Society: Music of Iran: Pop Music in Iran|work=iranchamber.com|access-date=26 October 2015}}</ref> It was significantly developed since the 1950s, using indigenous instruments and forms accompanied by [[electric guitar]] and other imported characteristics. [[Iranian rock]] emerged in the 1960s and [[Iranian hip hop|hip hop]] in the 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://observers.france24.com/content/20130826-iranian-youth-dance-hip-hop |title=Iran's underground hip hop dance scene &#124; The FRANCE 24 Observers |publisher=Observers.france24.com |date=29 August 2013 |access-date=24 February 2014 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228082137/http://observers.france24.com/content/20130826-iranian-youth-dance-hip-hop |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=fa:'اسکورپیو' در آپارات |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/2013/02/130227_aprat_week_09.shtml |publisher=BBC Persian }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Rebels-of-rap-reign-in-Iran-3287827.php|title=Rebels of rap reign in Iran|work=SFGate|date=16 April 2008|access-date=26 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/irans-illegal-rappers-want-cultural-revolution-774943.html|title=Iran's 'illegal' rappers want cultural revolution|author=Anuj Chopra in Tehran|date=28 January 2008|work=The Independent|access-date=26 October 2015|archive-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003200940/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/irans-illegal-rappers-want-cultural-revolution-774943.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Theatre ===

{{Main|Persian theatre}}

The oldest Iranian initiation of theatre can be traced to ancient epic ceremonial theatres such as ''Sug-e Siāvuš'' ("mourning of [[Siyâvash|Siāvaš]]"), as well as dances and theatre narrations of Iranian mythological tales reported by [[Herodotus]] and [[Xenophon]].

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 (in which the central comedian appears in blackface), Sāye-bāzi ([[shadow play]]), Xeyme-šab-bāzi ([[marionette]]), and Arusak-bāzi ([[puppetry]]), and [[Ta'zieh|Ta'zie]] (religious tragedy plays).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/drama |title=DRAMA |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica|access-date=20 July 2017 |volume=VII |pages=529–535}}</ref>

Before the 1979 Revolution, the Iranian national stage had become a famous performing scene for known international artists and troupes,<ref>{{cite book |author=Kiann, Nima |date=2015 |title=The History of Ballet in Iran |location=Wiesbaden |publisher=Reichert Publishing}}</ref> with the [[Roudaki Hall]] of Tehran constructed to function as the national stage for [[opera]] and [[ballet]]. The hall is home to the [[Tehran Symphony Orchestra]], the Tehran Opera Orchestra, and the [[Iranian National Ballet Company]], and was officially renamed ''Vahdat Hall'' after the Revolution.

=== Cinema and animation ===
<!--- Caution should be taken to ensure that the sections are not simply a listing of names or mini biographies of individuals accomplishments.--->
{{Main|Cinema of Iran|History of Iranian animation}}
[[File:Vase animation.svg|thumb|upright=1.15|Reproduction of the third-millennium BC goblet from [[Shahr-e Sukhteh]], Iran, possibly the world's oldest example of animation, kept at the [[National Museum of Iran]].<ref>{{cite web|date=19 March 2017|title=کهن‌ترین انیمیشن جهان کجاست؟|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/95122817773/کهن-ترین-انیمیشن-جهان-کجاست|access-date=2 June 2020|website=ایسنا|language=fa}}</ref>]]

A third-millennium BC earthen goblet discovered at the [[Shahr-e Sukhteh|Burnt City]] in southeastern Iran depicts what could be the world's oldest example of animation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/8045|title=Oldest Animation Discovered in Iran |work=Animation Magazine|date=12 March 2008|access-date=4 August 2014|archive-date=20 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620141518/http://animationmagazine.net/article/8045|url-status=dead}}</ref> The earliest attested Iranian examples of visual representations, however, are traced back to the bas-reliefs of Persepolis, the ritual centre of the [[Achaemenid Empire]].<ref>Honour, Hugh and John Fleming, ''The Visual Arts: A History''. New Jersey, Prentice Hall Inc., 1992. Page: 96.</ref>

The first Iranian filmmaker was probably [[Mirza Ebrahim Khan Akkas Bashi|Mirza Ebrahim (Akkas Bashi)]], the court photographer of [[Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar|Mozaffar-ed-Din Shah]] of the [[Qajar dynasty]]. Mirza Ebrahim obtained a camera and filmed the Qajar ruler's visit to Europe. Later in 1904, [[Mirza Ebrahim Khan Sahhafbashi|Mirza Ebrahim (Sahhaf Bashi)]] opened the first public cinema in Tehran.<ref name="massoudmehrabi1">{{cite web|url=http://www.massoudmehrabi.com/articles.asp?id=1414606616|title=Massoud Mehrabi – Articles|work=massoudmehrabi.com|access-date=26 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623113213/http://www.massoudmehrabi.com/articles.asp?id=1414606616|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first Iranian feature film, ''[[Abi and Rabi]]'', was a silent comedy directed by [[Ovanes Ohanian]] in 1930. The first sounded one, ''[[Lor Girl]]'', was produced by [[Ardeshir Irani]] and [[Abdolhossein Sepanta|Abd-ol-Hosein Sepanta]] in 1932.

Iran's animation industry began by the 1950s and was followed by the establishment of the influential [[Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults]] in January 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehran-animafest.ir/|title=Tehran International Animation Festival (1st Festival 1999 )|work=tehran-animafest.ir|access-date=17 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928232127/http://www.tehran-animafest.ir/|archive-date=28 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animation-festivals.com/festivals/tehran-international-animation-festival-tiaf |title=Tehran International Animation Festival (TIAF) |work=animation-festivals.com |access-date=26 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015234937/https://www.animation-festivals.com/festivals/tehran-international-animation-festival-tiaf/ |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref>
With the screening of the films ''[[Qeysar (film)|Qeysar]]'' and ''[[The Cow (1969 film)|The Cow]]'', directed by [[Masoud Kimiai]] and [[Dariush Mehrjui]] respectively in 1969, alternative films set out to establish their status in the film industry and [[Bahram Beyzai]]'s ''[[Downpour (film)|Downpour]]'' and [[Nasser Taghvai]]'s ''Tranquility in the Presence of Others'' followed soon. Attempts to organise a film festival, which had begun in 1954 within the framework of the Golrizan Festival, resulted in the festival of Sepas in 1969. The endeavours also resulted in the formation of Tehran's World Film Festival in 1973.<ref name="Esfandiary2012">{{cite book|author=Shahab Esfandiary|title=Iranian Cinema and Globalization: National, Transnational, and Islamic Dimensions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2HpN2LohZwC&pg=PA69|year=2012|publisher=Intellect Books|isbn=978-1-84150-470-4|page=69}}</ref>
After the Revolution of 1979, and following the [[Iranian Cultural Revolution|Cultural Revolution]], a new age emerged in Iranian cinema, starting with ''Long Live!'' by [[Khosrow Sinai]] and followed by many other directors, such as [[Abbas Kiarostami]] and [[Jafar Panahi]]. Kiarostami, an acclaimed Iranian director, planted Iran firmly on the map of world cinema when he won the {{lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]|italic=no}} for ''[[Taste of Cherry]]'' in 1997.<ref name="Dabashi2007">{{cite book|author=Hamid Dabashi|title=Masters & Masterpieces of Iranian Cinema|year=2007|publisher=Mage Publishers|isbn=978-0-934211-85-7|page=intro}}</ref> The continuous presence of Iranian films in prestigious international festivals, such as the [[Cannes Film Festival]], the [[Venice Film Festival]], and the [[Berlin International Film Festival]], attracted world attention to Iranian masterpieces.<ref name="DecherneyAtwood2014">{{cite book|author1=Peter Decherney|author2=Blake Atwood|title=Iranian Cinema in a Global Context: Policy, Politics, and Form|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p0ODBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA193|year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-67520-4|page=193}}</ref> In 2006, six Iranian films represented Iranian cinema at the Berlin International Film Festival. Critics considered this a remarkable event in the history of Iranian cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/arts/story/2006/02/060209_pm-berlin-film-festival.shtml|title=Iran's strong presence in 2006 Berlin International Film Festival|work=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4726682.stm|title=BBC NEWS – Entertainment – Iran films return to Berlin festival|work=BBC|access-date=26 October 2015}}</ref>

[[Asghar Farhadi]], a well-known Iranian director, has received a [[Golden Globe Award]] and two [[Academy Award]]s, representing Iran for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012 and 2017, with ''[[A Separation]]'' and ''[[The Salesman (2016 film)|The Salesman]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coates |first=Tyler |date=2021-12-11 |title=Hollywood Flashback: Asghar Farhadi's 'A Separation' Won Iran's First Oscar in 2012 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/asghar-farhadi-a-separation-iran-first-oscar-1235059723/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shoard |first=Catherine |date=2017-02-27 |title=The Salesman wins best foreign language Oscar |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/27/the-salesman-wins-best-foreign-language-oscar-asghar-farhadi |access-date=2024-01-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Salesman |url=https://goldenglobes.com/film/the-salesman/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Golden Globes |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2020, [[Ashkan Rahgozar|Ashkan Rahgozar's]] "[[The Last Fiction]]" became the first representative of Iranian animated cinema in the competition section in both [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature]] and [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] categories at the [[Academy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title='The Last Fiction' qualified for Oscar |url=https://en.ifilmtv.ir/Iran/Content/24813/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=ifilm-آیفیلم |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-21 |title=Iran to contend for 2020 Best Picture Oscar with 'The Last Fiction' |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/153551/Iran-to-contend-for-2020-Best-Picture-Oscar-with-The-Last-Fiction |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Mehr News Agency |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-19 |title=Iran's "Last Fiction" among submissions for Oscars consideration |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/441263/Iran-s-Last-Fiction-among-submissions-for-Oscars-consideration |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wit |first=Alex Dudok de |date=2019-10-01 |title='The Last Fiction' Set To Become First Iranian Animated Feature To Qualify For Oscars (Exclusive) |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/the-last-fiction-set-to-become-first-iranian-animated-feature-to-qualify-for-oscars-exclusive-180272.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Cartoon Brew |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-20 |title=Oscars 2020: 'Last Fiction' First Iranian Film To Run For Best Animated Feature - Iran Front Page |url=https://ifpnews.com/oscars-2020-last-fiction-first-iranian-film-to-run-for-best-animated-feature/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=ifpnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=mhfard |date=2019-10-01 |title='The Last Fiction' is First Iranian Animated Feature to Qualify for Oscars |url=https://hoorakhshstudios.com/the-last-fiction-is-first-iranian-animated-feature-to-qualify-for-oscars/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Hoorakhsh Studios |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Observances ===

{{See also|List of festivals in Iran}}
[[File:7SEEN 89.jpg|thumb|[[Haft-Seen]], a custom of [[Nowruz]], the Iranian New Year.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=parisa |last2=Bakhtiari |first2=Parisa |date=2019-08-24 |title=All About Haft-Sin: The 7 'S' of Iranian New Year |url=https://surfiran.com/mag/all-about-haft-sin-the-7-s-of-iranian-new-year/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=SURFIRAN Mag |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Traditional Haft Sin Table Celebrating Nowruz - Society/Culture news |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/03/20/1684482/a-traditional-haft-sin-table-celebrating-nowruz |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Tasnim News Agency |language=en}}</ref>]]

Iran's official [[New Year]] begins with [[Nowruz]], an ancient Iranian tradition celebrated annually on the [[equinox|vernal equinox]] and described as the ''Persian New Year''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/march_2010/norouz_persian_new_year.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306060954/https://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/march_2010/norouz_persian_new_year.aspx|archive-date=6 March 2010|title=Norouz Persian New Year|publisher=British Museum|date=25 March 2010|access-date=6 April 2010}}</ref> It was registered on the [[UNESCO]]'s list of [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]] in 2009.<ref name="Unesco.org_November_29_2015c">{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/proclamation-of-masterpieces-00103 |title=Proclamation of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (2001–2005) – intangible heritage – Culture Sector – UNESCO |newspaper=Unesco.org |date=2000 |access-date= 29 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.un.org/spanish/aboutun/organs/ga/55/verbatim/a55pv94e.pdf |title=General Assembly Fifty-fifth session 94th plenary meeting Friday, 9 March 2001, 10 a.m. New York |publisher=United Nations General Assembly |date=9 March 2001 |access-date=6 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060805065511/http://www.un.org/spanish/aboutun/organs/ga/55/verbatim/a55pv94e.pdf |archive-date=5 August 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100317/wl_time/08599197278600|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322222922/http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100317/wl_time/08599197278600|archive-date=22 March 2010|title=Nowrooz, a Persian New Year Celebration, Erupts in Iran – Yahoo!News|publisher=News.yahoo.com|date=16 March 2010|access-date=6 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/19/us-mulls-persian-new-year-outreach-to-iran/|title=US mulls Persian New Year outreach|work=Washington Times|date=19 March 2010|access-date=6 April 2010}}</ref> On the eve of the last Wednesday of the preceding year, as a prelude to Nowruz, the ancient festival of [[Chaharshanbe Suri|Čāršanbe Suri]] celebrates [[Atar|Ātar]] ("fire") by performing rituals such as jumping over [[bonfire]]s and lighting [[fireworks]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://financialtribune.com/articles/people/61234/call-for-safe-yearend-celebration |title=Call for Safe Yearend Celebration |date=12 March 2017 |newspaper=Financial Tribune |quote=The ancient tradition has transformed over time from a simple bonfire to the use of firecrackers{{nbsp}}...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-toward-east-sea-official-says-n779401 |title=Light It Up! Iranians Celebrate Festival of Fire |date=19 March 2014 |work=NBC News}}</ref>

[[Yaldā Night|Yaldā]], another ancient tradition,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.mehrnews.com/news/112907/Yalda-Iranian-celebration-of-winter-solstice |author=Rezaian, Lachin |publisher=[[Mehr News Agency]] |date=20 December 2015 |title=Yalda: Iranian celebration of winter solstice}}</ref> commemorates the ancient goddess [[Mithra]] and marks the longest night of the year on the eve of the [[winter solstice]] (usually falling on 20 or 21 December),<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yonOicJi5BEC |title=No More "us" and "them": Classroom Lessons and Activities to Promote Peer Respect |author=Roessing, Lesley |date=2012 |page=89|publisher=R&L Education |isbn=978-1-61048-812-9 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2013/dec/20/local/la-me-adv-persian-winter-solstice-20131221 |title=In ancient tradition, Iranians celebrate winter solstice |author=Hamedy, Saba |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=20 December 2013}}</ref> during which families gather to recite poetry and eat fruits.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ti24AwAAQBAJ |title=Religions of Iran: From Prehistory to the Present |author=Foltz, Richard |publisher=Oneworld Publications |date=2013 |page=29|isbn=978-1-78074-307-3 |author-link=Foltz, Richard }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OUtoJovyjMI |title=We Are Iran: The Persian Blogs |author=Alavi, Nasrin |date=8 November 2015 |publisher=Soft Skull Press |page=135 }}{{dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In some regions of [[Mazandaran Province|Mazanderan]] and [[Markazi Province|Markazi]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.irib.ir/radioculture/iran/history/item/149883-historical-ceremonies-of-iran |title=Historical ceremonies of Iran |publisher=[[IRIB World Service|IRIB English Radio]] |date=29 April 2013 |quote=...{{nbsp}}people in Mazandaran province celebrate Tirgan. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010055806/http://english.irib.ir/radioculture/iran/history/item/149883-historical-ceremonies-of-iran |archive-date=10 October 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://kutaksam.karabuk.edu.tr/index.php/ilk/article/viewFile/774/582 |journal=Journal of History Culture and Art Research |title=Examining the Social Function of Dramatic Rituals of Mazandaran with Emphasis on Three Rituals of tir mā sizeŝu, bisto šeše aydimā, and čake se mā |last1=Ahmadzadeh |first1=Fatemeh |last2=Mohandespour |first2=Farhad |date=February 2017 |page=839 |quote=...{{nbsp}}Tirgan called tir mā sizeŝu (thirteen night of Tir) is still held in Mazandaran.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destinationiran.com/ceremonies-iran.htm |title=Ceremonies in Iran |date=22 March 2010 |author=Mehraby, Rahman |website=DestinationIran.com |quote=...{{nbsp}}people in Mazandaran province celebrate Tirgan.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://old.iran-daily.com/1390/4/1/MainPaper/3986/Page/6/MainPaper_3986_6.pdf |date=22 June 2011 |title=Tirgan Festival in Markazi Province |newspaper=[[Iran (newspaper)|Iran Daily]]}}</ref> there is a [[summer solstice|midsummer]] festival, [[Tirgan|Tirgān]],<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IhhOBAAAQBAJ |title=The Mertowney Mountain Interviews |publisher=[[iUniverse]] |author=Leviton, Richard |date=16 July 2014 |page=252 |quote=...{{nbsp}}the summer solstice festival, called ''Tiregan'',{{nbsp}}...|isbn=978-1-4917-4129-0 }}</ref> which is observed on [[Tir (month)|Tir]] 13 (2 or 3{{nbsp}}July) as a celebration of water.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hPAnDwAAQBAJ |title=Revelation and the Environment, AD 95-1995 |author1=Hobson, Sarah |author2=Lubchenco, Jane |page=151 |date=5 August 1997 |publisher=[[World Scientific]] |quote=''Tirgan'', is a joyous celebration of water in the height of summer,{{nbsp}}...|isbn=978-981-4545-69-3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulb9CQAAQBAJ |title=Emotional Schema Therapy |author=Leahy, Robert L. |publisher=[[Guilford Press|Guilford Publications]] |date=2015 |page=212 |quote=...{{nbsp}}, Tirgan (thanksgiving for water),{{nbsp}}...|isbn=978-1-4625-2054-1 }}</ref>

Islamic annual events such as [[Ramadan|Ramezān]], [[Eid al-Fitr|Eid e Fetr]], and [[Ashura|Ruz e Āšurā]] are marked by the country's large Muslim population, Christian traditions such as [[Christmas|Noel]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://observers.france24.com/en/20131223-iran-muslim-youth-christmas-christians |title=In Iran, Muslim youth are 'even more excited about Christmas than Christians' |publisher=[[France 24]] |date=23 December 2013}}</ref> [[Lent|Čelle ye Ruze]], and [[Easter|Eid e Pāk]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/media/2017/04/17/1381730/iranian-christians-celebrate-easter |title=Iranian Christians cCelebrate Easter |date=17 April 2017 |publisher=[[Tasnim News Agency]]}}</ref> are observed by the Christian communities, Jewish traditions such as [[Purim]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/165094/reading-megillah-in-tehran |date=13 March 2014 |author=Secunda, Shai |title=Reading Megillah in Tehran: How Iranian Jews Celebrate Purim |magazine=[[Tablet (magazine)|Tablet]]}}</ref> [[Hanukkah|Hanukā]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/galleries/iran-photo-of-the-day.html?displayTab=iranian-jews-observe-hanukkah |title=Iranian Jews observe Hanukkah |date=28 November 2013 |publisher=[[Al-Monitor]] |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> and [[Passover|Eid e Fatir]] (Pesah)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/iran-jews-celebrate-passover-persian-style-1.358018 |title=Iran Jews Celebrate Passover, Persian-style |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |date=25 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://washingtonjewishweek.com/1107/persian-passover/special-focuses/holiday-calendar |author=Holzel, David |title=Persian Passover |date=24 May 2013 |publisher=[[Washington Jewish Week]] |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731023719/http://washingtonjewishweek.com/1107/persian-passover/special-focuses/holiday-calendar/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> are observed by the Jewish communities, and Zoroastrian traditions such as [[Sadeh|Sade]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/35170156/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/iranians-celebrate-ancient-persian-fire-fest |title=Iranians celebrate ancient Persian fire fest |date=31 January 2010 |author=Dareini, Ali Akbar |work=NBC News}}</ref> and [[Mehregan|Mehrgān]] are observed by the Zoroastrians.

==== Public holidays ====

{{Main|Public holidays in Iran}}
{{See also|Iranian calendars}}
Iran's [[civil calendar|official calendar]] is the [[Solar Hijri calendar|Solar Hejri calendar]], beginning at the [[March equinox|vernal equinox]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]].<ref name="Calenica">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/calendars |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica |title=Calendars |trans-title=The solar Hejrī (Š. = Šamsī) and Šāhanšāhī calendars |access-date=4 July 2017}}</ref> Each of the 12 months of the Solar Hejri calendar correspond with a [[astrological sign|zodiac sign]], and the length of each year is solar.<ref name="Calenica" /> Alternatively, the [[Islamic calendar|Lunar Hejri calendar]] is used to indicate Islamic events, and the [[Gregorian calendar]] marks international events.

Legal public holidays based on the Iranian solar calendar include the cultural celebrations of Nowruz ([[Farvardin]] 1–4; 21–24 March) and Sizdebedar ([[Farvardin]] 13; 2{{nbsp}}April), and the political events of [[Iranian Islamic Republic Day|Islamic Republic Day]] ([[Farvardin]] 12; 1{{nbsp}}April), the death of [[Ruhollah Khomeini]] ([[Khordad]] 14; 4{{nbsp}}June), the [[5 June 1963, demonstrations in Iran|Khordad 15 event]] ([[Khordad]] 15; 5{{nbsp}}June), the anniversary of the [[Iranian Revolution|1979 Revolution]] ([[Bahman]] 22; 10 February), and [[Nationalization of the Iranian oil industry|Oil Nationalization Day]] ([[Esfand]] 29; 19 March).<ref name="irmys">{{cite web |url=https://www.mysteryofiran.com/holidays-in-iran |title=Iran Public Holidays 2017 |publisher=Mystery of Iran |access-date=6 July 2017 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010060510/https://www.mysteryofiran.com/holidays-in-iran |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Lunar Islamic public holidays include Tasua ([[Islamic calendar|Muharram]] 9), Ashura ([[Islamic calendar|Muharram]] 10), Arba'een ([[Islamic calendar|Safar]] 20), the death of Muhammad ([[Islamic calendar|Safar]] 28), the death of Ali al-Ridha ([[Islamic calendar|Safar]] 29 or 30), the birthday of Muhammad ([[Islamic calendar|Rabi-al-Awwal]] 17), the death of Fatimah ([[Islamic calendar|Jumada-al-Thani]] 3), the birthday of Ali ([[Islamic calendar|Rajab]] 13), Muhammad's first revelation ([[Islamic calendar|Rajab]] 27), the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi ([[Islamic calendar|Sha'ban]] 15), the death of Ali ([[Islamic calendar|Ramadan]] 21), Eid al-Fitr ([[Islamic calendar|Shawwal]] 1–2), the death of Ja'far al-Sadiq ([[Islamic calendar|Shawwal]] 25), Eid al-Qurban ([[Islamic calendar|Zulhijja]] 10), and Eid al-Qadir ([[Islamic calendar|Zulhijja]] 18).<ref name="irmys" />

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Iranian cuisine}}
[[File:Kebab Bakhtyari.jpg|thumb|[[Chelow kabab]] (rice and [[kebab]]), one of [[Iran's national dishes]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/restaurants/dindin-kitchen-restaurant-review-9309786.html |newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]] |title=Dindin Kitchen – restaurant review |date=1 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/lifestyle/restaurant-review-apadana-huddersfield-4884705 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230083526/http://www.examiner.co.uk/lifestyle/restaurant-review-apadana-huddersfield-4884705 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 December 2017 |newspaper=[[Huddersfield Daily Examiner]] |title=Restaurant review: Apadana, Huddersfield |date=21 June 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-maple-syrup-mecca-for-irans-gays |title=A Maple Syrup Mecca for Iran's Gays |date=10 August 2014 |website=[[The Daily Beast]]|last1=Strochlic |first1=Nina }}</ref>]]
Iranian main dishes include varieties of [[kebab]], [[pilaf]], [[stew]] ([[khoresh]]), [[soup]] and [[āsh]], and [[omelette]]. Lunch and dinner meals are commonly accompanied by side dishes such as plain [[yogurt]] or [[tzatziki|mast-o-khiar]], [[sabzi khordan|sabzi]], [[Shirazi salad|salad Shirazi]], and [[tursu|torshi]], and might follow dishes such as [[borani]], [[Mirza Ghassemi|Mirza Qasemi]], or [[kashk e bademjan]].

In Iranian culture, tea is widely consumed.<ref>{{cite book |title=Iran – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture |author=Williams, Stuart. |chapter=DRINKING |date=October 2008 |publisher=Kuperard |isbn=978-1-85733-598-9 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YXYFAQAAQBAJ |quote=Iranians are obsessive tea drinkers}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/iranianrapperspe0000masl |url-access=registration |title=Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn: A Hitchhiker's Adventures in the New Iran |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing Inc. |author=Maslin, Jamie. |quote=Iran is a nation of obsessive tea drinkers |page=[https://archive.org/details/iranianrapperspe0000masl/page/58 58]|isbn=978-1-60239-791-0 |year=2009 }}</ref> Iran is the world's seventh major tea producer.<ref name=FAOSTAT>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations—Production [http://faostat.fao.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567&lang=en FAOSTAT]. Retrieved 30 April 2010.</ref> One of Iran's most popular desserts is the [[faloodeh|falude]].<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PswWAgAAQBAJ |title=The Foodspotting Field Guide |publisher=Chronicle Books |author=Foodspotting |date=18 March 2014 |chapter=24 / Dessert: Faloodeh|isbn=978-1-4521-3008-8 }}</ref> There is also the popular saffron ice cream, known as ''[[Bastani Sonnati]]'' ("traditional ice cream"),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://billypenn.com/2017/02/07/franklin-fountain-has-an-impeach-sundae-with-nuts-from-the-cabinet |author=Henninger, Danya |website=BillyPenn.com |title=Franklin Fountain has an ImPeach sundae with 'nuts from the cabinet' |date=7 February 2017}}</ref> which is sometimes accompanied with [[carrot juice]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v-GACwAAQBAJ |title=Taste of Persia: A Cook's Travels Through Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Kurdistan |author=Duguid, Naomi |page=353 |quote=...{{nbsp}}havij bastani, a kind of ice cream float, made with Persian ice cream and carrot juice |isbn=978-1-57965-727-7 |date=6 September 2016 |publisher=Artisan }}</ref> Iran is also famous for its [[caviar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1383/2228/html/focus.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050716074736/http://www.iran-daily.com/1383/2228/html/focus.htm|archive-date=16 July 2005 |title=Sturgeon Stocks Slump |publisher=Iran-daily.com |access-date=21 June 2013}}</ref>

=== Sports ===

{{Main|Sport in Iran}}

Iran is most likely the birthplace of [[polo]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polomuseum.com/history_of_polo.htm |title=The History of Polo |publisher=Polomuseum.com |access-date= 27 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-Origins-of-Polo/ |title=The origins and history of Polo |publisher=Historic-uk.com |author= Ben Johnson |access-date= 27 March 2015}}</ref> locally known as ''čowgān'', with its earliest records attributed to the ancient [[Medes]].<ref>{{Cite book|author=Singh, Jaisal|year=2007|title=Polo in India|location=London |publisher=New Holland|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=2ZF5EIfX9VwC&pg=PA10 10]|isbn=978-1-84537-913-1}}</ref> [[Freestyle wrestling]] is traditionally considered the [[national sport]] of Iran, and the [[Iran national freestyle wrestling athletes|national wrestlers]] have been world champions on many occasions. Iran's traditional wrestling, called ''[[Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals|košti e pahlevāni]]'' ("heroic wrestling"), is registered on [[UNESCO]]'s [[Intangible Cultural Heritage]] list.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Being a mountainous country, Iran is a venue for [[skiing]], [[snowboarding]], [[hiking]], [[rock climbing]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockclimbing.com/ |title=Rock Climbing Routes, Gear, Photos, Videos & Articles |publisher=Rockclimbing.com |date=27 October 2009 |access-date=18 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615152628/http://www.rockclimbing.com/ |archive-date=15 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[mountaineering|mountain climbing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mountainzone.ir/ |title=Iran Mountain Zone (IMZ) |publisher=Mountainzone.ir |date=11 June 1966 |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc-of-mountaineering.com/middle-east/iran/ |title=Mountaineering in Iran |publisher=Abc-of-mountaineering.com |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707072811/https://www.abc-of-mountaineering.com/middle-east/iran/ |archive-date=7 July 2011 }}</ref> It is home to several ski resorts, the most famous being [[Tochal Complex|Tochal]], [[Dizin]], and [[Shemshak (ski resort)|Shemshak]].<ref name="Snowseasoncentral.com_November_29_2015c">{{cite web |url=http://www.snowseasoncentral.com/work-a-winter-snow-season-iran |title=Iran – Guide to Skiing and Snowboarding |publisher=Snowseasoncentral.com |date=2015 |access-date= 29 November 2015}}</ref> The resort of Tochal, located in the [[Alborz]] mountain rage, is the world's fifth-highest ski resort ({{convert|3730|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}} at its highest station). Dizin is the largest Iranian ski resort, and its officially granted the title by [[International Ski and Snowboard Federation|FIS]] to administer official and international competitions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=Dizi (IRI) |url=https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?eventid=47908&sectorcode=AL&seasoncode=2021 |website=FIS}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 
| image1            = Dizin ski resort.jpg
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = [[Dizin]] is the biggest [[ski resort]] in the [[Middle East]].
| image2            = Azadi Stadium in the final week of the 39th League.jpg
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = [[Azadi Stadium]] in [[Tehran]] is [[West Asia]]'s largest football stadium.
}}

Iran's [[National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran|National Olympic Committee]] was founded in 1947. Wrestlers and [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifters]] have achieved the country's highest [[Iran at the Olympics|records at the Olympics]]. In September 1974, Iran became the first country in West Asia to host the [[Asian Games]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Asian Games |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1059784/history-of-asian-games |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=www.insidethegames.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iranian Great Power Ambitions and China's Return to the Olympic Movement, 1973-74 {{!}} Wilson Center |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/iranian-great-power-ambitions-and-chinas-return-to-the-olympic-movement-1973-74 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=www.wilsoncenter.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Teenagers won titles in the Tehran 1974 Asian Games where South Korea and Iran were the bests |url=http://www.asbcnews.org/teenagers-won-titles-in-the-tehran-1974-asian-games-where-south-korea-and-iran-were-the-bests/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=ASBCNEWS |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Football in Iran|Football]] is the most popular sport in Iran, with the [[Iran national football team|men's national team]] having won the [[AFC Asian Cup|Asian Cup]] on three occasions. The men's national team ranks first in Asia and 22nd in the world according to the [[FIFA World Rankings]] ({{as of|September 2021|lc=y}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association/IRN/men/|title=Iran: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking|publisher=FIFA.com |access-date=4 May 2020}}</ref> The [[Azadi Stadium]] in Tehran is the largest association football stadium in [[West Asia|Western Asia]] and on the list of top-20 best stadiums in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayward |first=Joshua |title=Ranking the Top 20 Stadiums in World Football |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1804430-ranking-the-top-20-stadiums-in-world-football |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref>

Volleyball is the second most popular sport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aipsmedia.com/index.php?page=news&cod=16859&tp=n|title=AIPS Web Site – USA Volleyball president tips Iran to qualify for Rio|date=2 December 2011|work=aipsmedia.com|access-date=26 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015234936/http://www.aipsmedia.com/index.php?page=news&cod=16859&tp=n|archive-date=15 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldofvolley.com/News/Latest_news/170/volleyball-pioneer-ahmad-masajedi-says-irans-rise-to-the-top-wont-stop-.html|title=WorldofVolley :: Volleyball pioneer Ahmad Masajedi says Iran's rise to the top won't stop|work=worldofvolley.com|date=2 December 2011 |access-date=26 October 2015}}</ref> Having won the 2011 and 2013 [[Asian Men's Volleyball Championship]]s, the [[Iran men's national volleyball team|men's national team]] is the strongest team in Asia, and ranks eighth in the [[FIVB World Rankings]] ({{as of|2017|July|lc=y}}).

[[Basketball]] is also popular,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3671265 |access-date=21 April 2012 |work=ESPN |first=Sam |last=Alipour |title=Mission Improbable |date=21 April 2012}}</ref> with the [[Iran national basketball team|men's national team]] having won three [[FIBA Asia Championship|Asian Championships]] since 2007.

In 2016, Iran made global headlines for international female champions boycotting tournaments in Iran in chess (U.S. Woman Grandmaster [[Nazí Paikidze]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/37559853/the-22-year-old-chess-star-boycotting-iran-world-championships-over-hijab|title=The 22-year-old chess star boycotting Iran World Championships over hijab|work=BBC|date=5 October 2016|access-date=1 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/10/06/i-will-not-wear-a-hijab-u-s-chess-star-refuses-to-attend-world-championships-in-iran/|title='I will NOT wear a hijab': U.S. chess star refuses to attend world championships in Iran|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=6 October 2016|access-date=1 November 2016}}</ref> and in shooting (Indian world champion [[Heena Sidhu]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/shooter-heena-sidhu-withdraws-tournament-iran-says-wont-wear-hijab-52095|title=Shooter Heena Sidhu withdraws from tournament in Iran, says won't wear hijab|work=thenewsminute|date=29 October 2016|access-date=1 November 2016}}</ref> as they refused to enter a country where they would be forced to wear a [[hijab]].

=== Museums ===
{{Main|List of museums in Iran}}
[[File:Národní muzeum Íránu.jpg|thumb|[[National Museum of Iran]], in Tehran.]]
[[National Museum of Iran|The National Museum of Iran]] in [[Tehran]] is the country's most important cultural institution.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Museum of Iran |url=https://www.letsgoiran.com/iran-travel-guide/tehran-travel-guide/national-museum-of-iran |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=letsgoiran.com}}</ref> As the first and biggest museum in Iran, the institution includes the [[Museum of Ancient Iran]] and the [[Museum of the Islamic Era]]. The National Museum is the world's most important museum in terms of preservation, display and research of archaeological collections of Iran,<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Museum of Iran – Official Site For National Museum Of Iran |url=https://irannationalmuseum.ir/en/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=fa-IR}}</ref> and ranks as one of the few most prestigious museums globally in terms of volume, diversity and quality of its monuments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-07 |title=National Museum of Iran |url=https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/content/national-museum-iran |website=UNESCO}}</ref>

There are many other popular museums across the country such as the [[Golestan Palace]] ([[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]), [[Treasury of National Jewels|The Treasury of National Jewels]], [[Reza Abbasi Museum]], [[Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art]], [[Sa'dabad Complex]], [[Carpet Museum of Iran|The Carpet Museum]], [[Abgineh Museum of Tehran|Abgineh Museum]], [[Pars Museum]], [[Azerbaijan Museum]], Hegmataneh Museum, Susa Museum and more. In 2019, around 25 million people visited the museums.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-07 |title=25 million people visited museums last year |url=https://en.irna.ir/news/83321603/25-million-people-visit-museums-last-year |website=IRNA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-21 |title=25 million visited Iran's heritage museums in calendar year |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/436197/25-million-visited-Iran-s-heritage-museums-in-calendar-year |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== Media ===
{{Main|Media of Iran}}

[[File:IRIB Building.jpg|thumb|[[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting|IRIB]], the Iranian [[State media|state-controlled]] media corporation.]]

According to the [[Press Freedom Index]], Iran ranks 174th out of 180 countries as of 2021.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020|title=2020 World Press Freedom Index|url=https://rsf.org/en/ranking}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://rsf.org/en/news/iranian-court-imposes-total-ban-telegram |work=Reporters Without Borders |title=Iranian court imposes total ban on Telegram |date=4 May 2018 |access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance]] is responsible for the [[cultural policy]], including activities regarding communications and information.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/tehran/about-this-office/single-view/news/irans_minister_of_culture_and_islamic_guidance_calls_for |title=Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance calls for expansion of ties with UNESCO |work=UNESCO |access-date=2 December 2018 |date=15 December 2014}}</ref>
Most of the [[list of newspapers in Iran|newspapers published in Iran]] are in Persian, the country's official language. The country's most widely circulated periodicals are based in Tehran, among which are ''[[Etemad]]'', ''[[Ettela'at]]'', ''[[Kayhan]]'', ''[[Hamshahri]]'', ''[[Resalat (newspaper)|Resalat]]'', and ''[[Shargh]]''.<ref name=BYI /> ''[[Tehran Times]]'', ''[[Iran (newspaper)|Iran Daily]]'', and ''[[Financial Tribune]]'' are among English-language newspapers based in Iran.

Since the 1979 Revolution, Iran's largest media corporation is the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]] (IRIB).<ref name=BYI /> Despite the restrictions on non-domestic television, about 65% of the residents of Tehran and about 30 to 40% of residents outside the capital access worldwide television channels through [[satellite dish]]es, although observers state that the figures are likely to be higher.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/persian_letters_satellite_dishes_iran_police/24514665.html |title=Nothing Comes Between Iranians And Their Satellite Dishes – Not Even The Police |date=13 March 2012 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=France 24 |url=http://observers.france24.com/en/20121220-iran-dismantle-satellite-dishes-tv-tehran |title=Iran's war on satellite dishes: "We just buy new ones the next day" |date=20 December 2012}}</ref>

According to Internet World Stats, {{as of|2017|lc=y}}, around 69.1% of the population are Internet users.<ref name="IWStats">{{cite web |work=Internet World Stats |url=http://www.internetworldstats.com/me/ir.htm |title=Iran Internet usage, broadband and telecommunications reports |access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref> Iran ranks 17th among [[List of countries by number of Internet users|countries by number of Internet users]]. [[Google Search]] is Iran's most widely used search engine and [[Instagram]] is the most popular online [[social networking service]].<ref name="Alexa Internet">{{cite web |work=Alexa Internet |url=http://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/IR |title=Top Sites in Iran |access-date=2 December 2018 |archive-date=10 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210145701/http://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/ir |url-status=dead }}</ref> Direct access to many worldwide mainstream websites has been blocked in Iran, including [[Facebook]], which has been blocked since 2009 due to the organization of anti-governmental protests on the website.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=30 April 2008|url=http://www.hamsaweb.org/crime/4.html|title=Facebook Faces Censorship in Iran|publisher=[[American Islamic Congress]]|date=29 August 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424001859/http://www.hamsaweb.org/crime/4.html|archive-date=24 April 2008}}</ref> However, {{as of|2017|lc=y}}, Facebook has around 40 million subscribers based in Iran (48.8% of the population) who use [[virtual private network]]s and [[proxy server]]s to access the website.<ref name="IWStats" /> About 90% of Iran's [[e-commerce]] takes place on the Iranian online store Digikala, which has around 750,000 visitors per day and is the most visited online store in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/31/amazon-iranian-style-digikala-other-startups-aparat-hamijoo-takhfifan |title=From Digikala to Hamijoo: the Iranian startup revolution, phase two |last=Kamali Dehghan |first=Saeed |date=13 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="Alexa Internet" />

=== Fashion and clothing ===
{{Main|Fashion in Iran}}
[[File:Velenjak 2019 Tehran Chanel Bag with RICH TEXTURES 2.jpg|upright=0.6|thumb|An Iranian model in [[Tehran]], 2019.]]
The exact date of the emergence of [[weaving]] in Iran is not yet known, but it is likely to coincide with the emergence of [[civilization]]. [[Ferdowsi]] and many historians have considered [[Keyumars]] to be first to use [[Animal skin|animals' skin]] and hair as clothing, while others propose [[Hushang]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite book|title=پوشاک در ایران باستان، فریدون پوربهمن/ت: هاجر ضیاء سیکارودی، امیرکبیر|year=2007|pages=24, 25, 57}}</ref> Ferdowsi considers [[Tahmuras]] to be a kind of [[textile]] 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, [[Persian clothing]] during the Achaemenian period took various forms. This clothing, in addition to being functional, had an aesthetic role.<ref name=":02" />

== See also ==
{{Portal |Iran|Middle East|Shia Islam}}
* [[Outline of Iran]]{{Clear}}

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==

=== Footnotes ===
{{reflist|group=n}}

=== Citations ===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Bibliography ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Axworthy |first=Michael |title=A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind |publisher=Basic Books |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-465-09876-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Foltz |first=Richard |title=Iran in World History |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-19-933550-3}}
* {{cite book | last=Hamzeh'ee | first=M. Reza | title=The Yaresan: a sociological, historical, and religio-historical study of a Kurdish community | publisher=K. Schwarz | publication-place=Berlin | year=1990 | isbn=3-922968-83-X | oclc=23438701 | url=http://menadoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/iud/content/structure/1330754}}
* ''[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/pdf/CS_Iran.pdf Iran: A Country Study]''. 2008, Washington, DC: [[Library of Congress]], 354 pp.
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Lawergren |first=Bo |author-link=Bo Lawergren |year=2009 |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]] |title=Music History i. Pre-Islamic Iran |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |location=Leiden |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/music-history-i-pre-islamic-iran}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |year=1998 |title=Ērān, Ērānšahr |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica |publisher=Mazda |location=Costa Mesa |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/eran-eransah |last=MacKenzie |first=David Niel |volume=8}}
*{{cite book |last=Mikaberidze |first=Alexander |title=Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia |volume=1 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-59884-336-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=Fisher |first1=William Bayne |last2=Avery |first2=P. |last3=Hambly |first3=G.R.G |last4=Melville |first4=C. |title=The Cambridge History of Iran |volume=7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H20Xt157iYUC |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |year=1991 |isbn=978-0-521-20095-0}}
* {{cite book |last1=Roisman |first1=Joseph |last2=Worthington |first2=Ian |title=A Companion to Ancient Macedonia |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-4443-5163-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QsJ183uUDkMC}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |year=1987 |title=Aryans |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica |publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul |location=New York |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/aryans |last=Schmitt |first=Rüdiger |volume=2 |pages=684–687}}
*{{Cite encyclopedia |title=IRAJ |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/iraj |last=Shahbazi |first=Alireza Shapour |date=2004}}
*{{Cite book |title=Contemporary Iran: Economy, Society, Politics |last=Tohidi |first=Nayareh |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-19-537849-8 |editor-last=Gheissari |editor-first=Ali |chapter=Ethnicity and Religious Minority Politics in Iran}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/ The e-office of the Supreme Leader of Iran]
* [http://president.ir/en/ The President of Iran]
* [http://en.iran.ir/ Iran.ir] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517064110/http://en.iran.ir/ |date=17 May 2009 }} {{in lang|fa}}
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iran/ Iran]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* {{GovPubs|iran}}
* {{curlie|Regional/Middle_East/Iran}}
* {{Wikiatlas|Iran}}

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