Iran

Iran was known as the Persian Empire. The first great dynasty in Iran was the Achaemenid which ruled from 550 to 330 BC. It was founded by Cyrus the Great. This period was followed by the conquest of Alexander the Great from Greece and the Hellenistic period. In the wake of Alexander’s conquests, the Parthian dynasty ruled for nearly 500 years followed by the Sassanian dynasty until 661 AD.

Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the more formidable powers in the Middle East region—a land where lyrical Persian poetry vies with strict interpretations of Islam for the soul of a people.

Not surprisingly in such an ethnically diverse nation, Iranians speak dozens of different languages and dialects. The official language is Persian (Farsi), which is part of the Indo-European language family.

Along with the closely related Luri, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Farsi is the native tongue of 58% of Iranians. Azeri and other Turkic languages account for 26%; Kurdish, 9%; and languages like Balochi and Arabic make up about 1% each.

Iran’s majority centrally-planned economy depends upon oil and gas exports for between 50 and 70% of its revenue. The per capita GDP is a robust $12,800 US, but 18% of Iranians live below the poverty line and 20% are unemployed.

Iran has long borders in common with Iraq. Iran defended itself against Iraqi invasion in 1980, a war that lasted till eight years. Many Arab countries including Americans have provided weapon support to Iran for its defense. Iran has hostile relations with Israel. Israel and Iran went to war in 2025

Pakistan bans road travel for Iran, Iraq pilgrims for Arbaeen

The Pakistan government has banned road travel for pilgrims willing to travel to Iran and… Read More

Courthouse attacked in Iran’s Baluchistan province, Iranian media reports

Gunmen from the Sunni Jaish al-Adl Baluch group attacked a courthouse in Iran’s restive southeastern… Read More

Iran confirms fresh nuclear talks with European powers on Friday

BERLIN: Iran confirmed fresh talks with European powers to be held on Friday in Istanbul,… Read More

21 killed, 34 injured as bus bound for Mashhad overturns in Shiraz, Iran

SHIRAZ: At least 21 passengers lost their lives and 34 others were injured on Saturday… Read More

Pakistan beat Iran to win Asian U16 Volleyball Championship

Nakhon Phanom: Pakistan clinched the title of the Asian U16 Volleyball Championship on Saturday after… Read More

Pakistan, Iran, Iraq announce new regulations for pilgrims

TEHRAN: In a major policy shift, the interior ministers of Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq have… Read More

Mohsin Naqvi arrives in Iran on official visit

TEHRAN: Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran on an official visit, where… Read More

Pak, Iran FMs discuss current developments in region

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Friday met Iranian Foreign… Read More

Pakistan to launch ferry service to Iran, Iraq for ‘Arbaeen’ pilgrimage

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has decided to launch a ferry service and increase the number… Read More

Iran enacts law suspending cooperation with IAEA

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian put into effect on Wednesday a law passed by parliament last week to… Read More

Iran made preparations to mine the Strait of Hormuz, US sources say

The Iranian military loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, a… Read More

Over 900 killed in Iran during 12-day war with Israel: state media

TEHRAN: At least 935 people were killed in Iran during its 12-day war with Israel,… Read More

Iran military chief thanks Pakistan in call with Field Marshal Asim Munir

Iranian military chief on Sunday telephoned Field Marshal General Asim Munir to thank Pakistan for… Read More

Netanyahu sees Iran outcome opening door to Gaza hostage return

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday the 12-day war with Iran had created opportunities… Read More

Iran holds funeral for commanders and scientists killed in war with Israel

Large crowds of mourners dressed in black lined streets in Iran's capital Tehran as the… Read More

Trump lambasts Khamenei, says he’d bomb Iran if nuclear activities restart

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamanei, on Friday, dropped plans to lift… Read More

No known intelligence that Iran moved uranium, US defense chief says

WASHINGTON: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday said he was unaware of any intelligence… Read More

PM Shehbaz highlights Pakistan’s role in Iran-Israel ceasefire

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday lauded the entire economic team, particularly Finance… Read More

Iran arrests 26 more Israeli agents

Iran's intelligence services have arrested 26 people, accusing them of collaborating with Israel, state media… Read More

Watch: Iran’s Quds Force commander appears in Tehran after assassination reports

TEHRAN: Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force,… Read More