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.

Pakistan, Iran to finalise Free Trade Agreement soon: PM Shehbaz

GWADAR: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan and Iran had decided… Read More

Pakistan, Iran jointly inaugurate border market, 100MW transmission line project

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif along with Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi inaugurated 100 MW… Read More

Iran summons Iraq envoy over Kurdish opposition groups

TEHRAN: Iran has summoned Iraq's ambassador to protest over the presence of Iranian opposition groups… Read More

Iran executes three convicted drug cartel members

TEHRAN: Iran executed three convicted drug cartel members Wednesday, the judiciary said, after the United… Read More

Iran executes Swedish-Iranian dual national

TEHRAN: Iran executed Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Chaab for "terrorism" on Saturday, according to the judiciary.… Read More

Iran arrests energy firm managers for backing strike: media

TEHRANL: Iranian authorities have arrested managers at a major petrochemical company for backing a workers'… Read More

Iran’s president heads to Syria for first trip since war, eyeing rebuild

Iran's Ebrahim Raisi is set to travel to Damascus Wednesday in the first visit by… Read More

Ishaq Dar stresses for enhanced bilateral cooperation with Iran

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has asserted that Pakistan holds its brotherly relations with… Read More

Iran’s President Raisi to visit Syria on Wednesday

TEHRAN: Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi will go to Damascus on Wednesday at the official invitation… Read More

President calls for increased cooperation with Iran, Romania

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday called for boosting cooperation with Iran and Romania… Read More

Russia to host Syria-Turkey fence-mending talks Tuesday

ISTANBUL: Russia will host a new round of talks on Tuesday aimed at normalising ties… Read More

Iran, Saudi Arabia ties will lead to regional stability: FM Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday asserted that the restoration of ties… Read More

Iran’s president invites Saudi king to visit Tehran

DUBAI: Iran has officially invited Saudi Arabia's king to visit the country, an Iranian Foreign… Read More

Pakistan reiterates commitment to strengthen ties with Iran

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations… Read More

Russia starts fuel supplies to Iran by rail: sources

Russia started fuel exports to Iran by rail this year for the first time after… Read More

Saudi delegation in Iran after historic deal

A Saudi delegation arrived in Tehran Saturday to discuss reopening the kingdom's diplomatic missions in… Read More

Iran, Saudi ministers meet in China to cement reconciliation

The foreign ministers of Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing on… Read More

Top Saudi, Iranian diplomats to meet in China

The top envoys for Saudi Arabia and Iran will meet in Beijing on Thursday, an… Read More

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers to meet during Ramadan

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian,… Read More

Biden says not seeking conflict with Iran after deadly strikes

President Joe Biden said Friday the United States is not seeking conflict with Tehran, after… Read More