Iran
Country in the Middle East
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a state in Western Asia. With an area of 1,648,195 km², the country is the second largest in the Middle East and the 17th largest in the world. As of 2024, Iran's population is approximately 88.55 million people, making it the 17th most populous country in the world. The capital and economic center is Tehran, which is the largest and most populous city in Western Asia.
The history of statehood in Iran is one of the oldest in the world, beginning with the formation of Elamite kingdoms in the 4th millennium BC. For centuries, the country played a key role in the East, and the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great was one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Eastern Europe to the Indus Valley. In 1935, the name Persia was replaced by Iran in Western countries, and after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the country was proclaimed an Islamic republic. The country's rich cultural heritage is partly reflected in 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which is the third highest number in Asia and the tenth in the world.
1979
The country experiences an Islamic revolution, which led to the proclamation of an Islamic republic and the gradual restriction of human rights
2002
Information emerges about secret nuclear facilities in Natanz and Arak where uranium enrichment was taking place
2015
The signing of an international agreement – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – which was intended to bring the country's nuclear program under control
2018
The US withdraws from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and a new round of sanctions against Iran begins
2020
Iran successfully launches the military satellite Noor-1
2022
Ukraine officially declares Iran's military support for Russian aggression and begins imposing sanctions
2024
The country becomes a member of BRICS
2025
A wave of protests against the current regime begins in the country at the end of the year
