Iran

Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bounded by Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Its capital and largest city is Tehran. The country is known in Persian as Iran; historically it was widely referred to as Persia in Western usage.

Iran is an Islamic republic with a theocratic constitution. The Supreme Leader is the highest authority, and there is a President who serves as head of government. The unicameral Majlis (Parliament) is elected, while the Guardian Council vets candidates and legislation. Other bodies include the Assembly of Experts and the Expediency Discernment Council.

Geography is diverse, featuring mountains, deserts, forests, and coastline along the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. The population is around 85 million. The official language is Persian (Farsi), with widespread use of minority languages such as Azerbaijani, Kurdish, and Baluchi. The majority religion is Twelver Shia Islam; recognized minorities include Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians.

Economically, Iran has a diversified economy with large oil and natural gas resources. Revenue and growth are affected by international sanctions, exchange rates, and domestic policy. Major sectors include petroleum, petrochemicals, automotive, mining, agriculture, and services.

Iran has a long historical legacy, with ancient civilizations such as Elam, and successive Persian empires (Achaemenid, Parthian, Sasanian). The region was converted to Islam in the 7th century. The Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) established Shia Islam as the state religion. In the 20th century, constitutional reform, a 1953 coup, and the 1979 Islamic Revolution shaped the modern state.

Iranian culture is rich in literature, art, music, cinema, and architecture. Persian is a core element of national identity, and the country has many UNESCO world heritage sites. Higher education and scientific research are active in various fields.