Iran

**Iran**, also known as **Persia** and officially as the **Islamic Republic of Iran**, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan to the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, and the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to the south. It covers an area of 1.64 million square kilometres (0.63 million square miles), making it the 17th-largest country. With an estimated population of 86 million, Iran is the 17th-most populous country, and being the second largest nation in the Middle East. Its capital and largest city is Tehran.

Iran is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, beginning with the formation of the Elamite kingdoms 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. Alexander the Great conquered the realm in the fourth century BC and it was subsequently divided into several 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. Arab Muslims conquered the empire in the seventh century AD, leading to its Islamization; Iran thereafter became a major center of Islamic culture and learning. Over the next two centuries, a series of native Iranian Muslim dynasties emerged before the Seljuk Turks and the Mongols conquered the region. In the 16th century, the native Safavids re-established a unified Iranian state. Under the reign of Nader Shah in the 18th century, Iran presided over the most powerful military in the world, though by the 19th century, a series of conflicts with the Russian Empire led to significant territorial losses. The early 20th century saw the Persian Constitutional Revolution. Efforts to nationalize its fossil fuel supply led to an Anglo-American coup in 1953. After the Iranian Revolution, the current Islamic Republic was established in 1979 by Ruhollah Khomeini, who became the country's first supreme leader.

The government of Iran is an Islamic theocracy with a presidential system, though ultimate authority is vested in an autocratic "Supreme Leader"; the position has been held by Ali Khamenei since Ayatollah Khomeini's death in 1989. Iranian government is authoritarian, and has attracted widespread criticism for its significant constraints and violations of human rights and civil liberties. It is also a focal point for Shia Islam within the Middle East.

## History

The first evidence of human settlement in Iran dates back to the Paleolithic era (c. 800,000 BCE). Iran was home to many ancient civilizations, including Elamites, Medes, and Persians. The Persian Empire was established in 550 BCE by Cyrus the Great and quickly became one of the most powerful empires in the world. It was known for its architecture, literature, and art, including the famous Achaemenid artifacts from Persepolis.

In the 7th century CE, Iran was conquered by the Arab armies of Islam, and the country became predominantly Muslim. Islam became a significant force in the country, and the Persian language and culture began to absorb influences from Islam.

In the 13th century CE, Iran was invaded by Mongol forces, who destroyed many cities and killed many people. The Ilkhanate dynasty was established, which ruled Iran until the end of the 14th century.

The Safavid dynasty was established in the 16th century by Shah Ismail I, who made Shi’ism the official religion of Iran. This was a significant change from the Sunni Islam that had been dominant in the country before. The dynasty was known for its art, culture, and architecture. The prominent landmarks from this period include the Shah Mosque and the Chehel Sotoun Palace.

The Qajar dynasty took power in the 18th century and lasted until the early 20th century. During this period, Iran faced many challenges from European powers such as the UK and Russia, as well as internal struggles. The country lost several territories and resources, including oil, to outside powers.

In the 20th century, Iran faced significant political and social unrest. In 1953, the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh was ousted in a coup orchestrated by the UK and the US government. In 1979, there was a revolution that led to the establishment of an Islamic Republic. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini became the Supreme Leader of Iran, and the country faced prolonged conflicts with neighboring countries and tensions with the West.

Iran continues to struggle with political and social challenges, including economic sanctions, internal corruption, and human rights abuses. The country remains a significant power in the Middle East, and its relationships with other countries such as the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia remain complicated.