IranEdit
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in western Asia with a population around the mid‑tens of millions and a long civilizational arc. Its geography stretches from the arid central plateau to the lush Caspian littoral in the north and the oil‑rich coastlines of the Persian Gulf. Persian (Farsi) is the dominant language, but the country is home to numerous ethnic groups and languages, contributing to a vibrant and varied culture that has shaped art, science, and scholarship for centuries. The political system blends republican institutions with a theocratic framework, a structure that has defined policy and governance since the 1979 Revolution.
Iran’s political order centers on the supreme leader, the president, and the elected parliament, the Majlis of Iran. The supreme leader holds influential authority over security, foreign policy, the judiciary, and key religious matters, while the president and the Majlis manage day‑to‑day governance, legislation, and budget. The Constitution of Iran codifies this balance, creating a system in which elected bodies operate under the veto and guidance of religious and clerical bodies such as the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts. This configuration aims to preserve national sovereignty and social cohesion while allowing limited popular participation in governance.
Geopolitically, Iran sits at a crossroads of civilizations and great‑power competition. Its strategy emphasizes independence, regional influence, and deterrence, including its missile program and what it terms its role in supporting allied movements and states in the region. International relations have been shaped by enduring tensions with some Western powers, sanctions regimes, and a complicated set of alliances and rivalries in the Middle East and beyond. The nuclear question, energy security, and regional balance of power remain central to Iran’s diplomacy and to the calculations of its partners and adversaries alike. For readers seeking more on related topics, see Nuclear program of Iran and Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
History
Iran’s history spans millennia, from ancient Persian empires to the modern state. The area that is today Iran has long been a major center of culture, science, and trade, intersecting with the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Indian and Mediterranean worlds. In the 20th century, Iran underwent rapid modernization under the Pahlavi dynasty, followed by the 1979 Revolution that established the Islamic Republic of Iran as a theocratic republic with elected institutions and a religious leadership. The Iran–Iraq War of the 1980s tested the young republic and helped solidify the primacy of the clergy in national security and foreign policy.
The post‑revolution era saw phases of reform and resistance, including periods of political openings, popular movements, and periods of crackdown. The early 1990s brought a push for greater social and economic openness, while the late 1990s and 2000s saw tensions around political reform, civil liberties, and economic policy. The period from 2005 onward featured a new generation of leadership, engagement with the global economy under sanctions, and ongoing debates about the proper balance between religious legitimacy and popular accountability. Readers may explore the biographies of notable leaders and the constitutional framework that defines the state’s powers in Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei articles, and the broader arc of the Constitution of Iran.
Politics and government
Iran’s governing system is built on a fusion of republican institutions and religious authority. The supreme leader, currently the most senior figure, oversees key state functions, including defense, foreign policy, and the judiciary, and appoints or approves key officeholders and bodies. The president is elected to a four‑year term and manages the executive branch, while the Majlis of Iran drafts and debates legislation. The Guardian Council vets candidates and supervises elections, providing an extra layer of religious and legal oversight. The Expediency Discernment Council helps resolve disputes between the Majlis and the Guardian Council and offers policy recommendations. This structure is designed to preserve national unity, guard against rapid political swings, and maintain the country’s independence in the face of external pressure.
Key institutions and terms to know include: - Supreme Leader of Iran: the highest authority on political and religious matters. - President of Iran: head of government and chief executive. - Majlis of Iran: the national legislature. - Constitution of Iran: the fundamental law governing the state. - Guardian Council: an oversight and vetting body with religious authority. - Assembly of Experts: a clerical body with the power to appoint and dismiss the supreme leader.
Economy and society
Iran possesses substantial natural resources, including sizable oil and natural gas reserves, and a diversified economy that spans energy, industry, agriculture, and services. Sanctions regimes and international tensions have shaped economic policy and livelihoods across the country, prompting adjustments in energy pricing, subsidy schemes, and private‑sector development. The state maintains a meaningful role in strategic sectors, though private enterprise and entrepreneurship have continued to grow, especially in technology, manufacturing, and services.
Important economic features and debates include: - Energy sector importance and the impact of sanctions on oil exports and investment, including the development of alternative trading partners. - The role of subsidies, price controls, and social programs aimed at mitigating cost of living pressures. - Private sector resilience and growth in non‑oil sectors, juxtaposed with the enduring influence of state enterprises in key industries. - The currency and financial system, monetary policy, and the challenges of inflation in a sanction‑constrained environment.
Iran’s society is young and educated, with universities producing graduates across science, engineering, humanities, and business. Cultural life remains a central part of public life, drawing on a deep literary and artistic heritage. The state emphasizes cultural continuity and religious tradition, while many Iranians seek more openness, personal freedom, and economic opportunity. Discussions about gender roles, family law, and social norms are ongoing, with reformist currents arguing for greater inclusion of women and youth in public life and conservatives emphasizing social order and religious values. See also Women in Iran and Iranian Revolution for related strands of these discussions.
Foreign policy
Iran’s foreign policy emphasizes sovereignty, regional influence, and deterrence. It supports allied movements and governments in the region as a counterweight to perceived external pressure and to secure its own security interests. The country maintains diplomatic and economic ties with a range of partners, while contesting Western policies it views as aimed at regime change or excessive interference in internal affairs. The nuclear question, sanctions policy, and regional security dynamics shape Tehran’s international posture, with competing blocs and alliances influencing the calculus of action and diplomacy.
Readers may explore related topics such as Foreign relations of Iran, Nuclear program of Iran, Syria (Iran's involvement) and Iran–Israel relations to understand the broader regional context and policy choices.
Culture, religion, and reform
Iran’s civil life is deeply influenced by a particular interpretation of Twelver shi‘a Islam, which informs laws, education, and public conduct to varying degrees. This religious framework has coexisted with substantial achievements in literature, science, and education in Iran’s long history. In recent decades, reformist voices and student movements have called for greater political participation, more personal freedoms, and a more open economy, while conservative factions emphasize social order, stability, and religious legitimacy. The debate over reform versus preservation of traditional norms remains a persistent feature of Iranian public life, reflected in protests, elections, and policy choices.
Ethnic and linguistic diversity, regional traditions, and a vibrant arts scene contribute to a complex cultural landscape. Persian poetry, cinema, music, and architecture continue to shape national identity while engaging with a global audience. For further cultural context, see Persian culture and Iranian cinema.