Iran, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country of significant geopolitical, historical, and cultural importance located in Western Asia. Bordered by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iraq, and with coastlines along the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, Iran occupies a strategic position at the crossroads of Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.

With a population exceeding 85 million people, Iran is one of the most populous countries in the region. Its capital and largest city is Tehran, which serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the nation. The official language is Persian (Farsi), and the predominant religion is Twelver Shi’a Islam, which significantly shapes both domestic policy and foreign relations.

Iran’s history stretches back to one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with historical roots in the Elamite kingdoms and the powerful Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE. The country has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous dynasties, including the Parthians, Sassanids, Safavids, and Qajars, each leaving a lasting imprint on Iranian identity, art, architecture, and literature.

Today, Iran is a regional power with a mixed economy that includes a large public sector and is rich in natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas. However, its economy has faced challenges due to international sanctions and internal structural issues. Politically, Iran remains a complex system with a unique blend of democratic and theocratic institutions, characterized by the dual authority of the elected president and parliament alongside the unelected Supreme Leader.

Culturally, Iran continues to be a vibrant society with a rich literary, artistic, and intellectual heritage that contributes to its distinctive identity in the Islamic world and beyond. Its contributions to philosophy, science, poetry, and the arts remain influential globally.