IRAN

The official language of Iran is Persian or Farsi. Farsi has its roots in the ancient Persian language, which was once spoken widely across the Middle East region and into India [i]. Farsi is the dialect of Persian that evolved in Iran. The Persian language is often credited by its literature, specifically its poetry. One of the most famous Persian authors and poets, whose work is still widely read, is Sa’adi [ii], and who’s poem Children of Adam [iii] was inscribed on the main gate at the UN. Persian uses a similar alphabet to Arabic as well as many similar sounds and grammatical structures.

The culture of Iran is one of the oldest [iv] preserved in the world. The Persian identity is something that many Iranians are incredibly proud of, which they see as a testament to their ability to preserve and maintain their unique heritage. Iranians are known for their beautiful hospitality, which is demonstrated in their warm and genuine kindness to strangers. They believe that having a guest is an honor and are quick to make you feel welcomed into their homes. From their food, music, art, and poetry, the warmth and vibrancy of the Iranian culture is captured and displayed in elegant detail.

Around 99% [v] of Iranians are Muslim, the majority of those being Shia and only 5-10% being Sunni. Iran is the largest of four countries in the world where the official religion of the state is Shia Islam [vi]. Though Islam has long historic roots in the nation, it was not the first monotheistic religion in Iran. Before Islam was introduced, most Persians held to Zoroastrianism [vii]. Many Zoroastrian traditions were adapted into the Islamic traditions [viii] within Iran. Some holidays, such as Nowruz, are only celebrated by Iranians because it was a part of their Persian heritage that was influenced by the Zoroastrian religion.

The Islamic Republic of Iran was created in 1979 by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini [ix], who is considered the father of the Iranian revolution. He was succeeded after his death by Ayatollah Khamenei [x] who still resides as the supreme leader of Iran. The other head of the government is the president who is elected for two four-year terms. While Iran is neither a democracy nor a theocracy [xi] it was created to be headed by the Shia clergy in order to ensure a just society governed by Islamic law. However, this government has had issues with corruption and is known to be highly bureaucratic [xii].

The Iranian riyal [xiii] is the form of currency used within Iran. The main export of Iran is natural gas and oil, which makes up 82% of its exports [xiv]. However, the country also exports chemicals, plastics, fruits, ceramic products, and metals. It is a founder of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and known to be a fervent price hawk when it comes to the price per barrel. Currently, the Iranian riyal is losing its value repetitively [xv] against foreign currencies. This is especially difficult on Iranian exporters who already face many challenges with the number of sanctions that have been put on Iran.

Most Iranians consider themselves Persian [xvi], as Iran was the epicenter of the Persian Empire. Though they share similarities with Arab nations, they do not consider themselves part of the Arab world and take great pride in their unique Persian identity. In 1953, the Shah Reza Mohamad was officially given control over the government after a CIA-backed coup d’etat displaced the elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh [xvii]. This came after Mosaddegh and his government nationalized Iran’s oil fields. In 1979, the Iranian Revolution [xviii] took place. The Shah was exiled and replaced by Ayatollah Khomeini [xix], who instituted a new constitution and formed modern Iran.

Iran encompasses a territory of 1.648 million square kilometers [xx] (roughly double the size of Turkey) and shares borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan in the east, Iraq in the west, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in the north, and to the south, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The Zagros and Alborz Mountain range cuts through most of the country. Mt. Damavand is the tallest mountain in Iran and can be seen from Tehran. In the middle of the country is the Central Plateau, which is partially covered by two salt deserts, the Dasht-e Kavir and the Dasht-e Lut.