Introduction
Background
Known as Persia until 1935, Iran transitioned into an Islamic republic in 1979 following the ousting of the monarchy and the exile of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This shift was driven by conservative clerical forces under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who established a theocratic government. The Supreme Leader, a religious scholar with ultimate political authority, is accountable solely to the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member elected body of clerics. US-Iran relations deteriorated sharply in November 1979 when Iranian students took over the US Embassy in Tehran, holding hostages until January 1981. Diplomatic ties were severed by the US in April 1980. From 1980 to 1988, Iran engaged in a brutal, stalemated war with Iraq, which spilled over into the Persian Gulf and led to confrontations with US Navy forces. Since 1984, Iran has been recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Following the election of reformist Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad Khatami as president in 1997 and a reformist legislature in 2000, Iran initiated a political reform campaign in response to popular dissatisfaction. However, conservative politicians blocked these reforms and increased repression. By the 2003 and 2004 municipal and legislative elections, conservatives had regained control over Iran’s elected government institutions. This culminated in the 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud Ahmadinejad as president. His controversial reelection in 2009 led to widespread protests over allegations of electoral fraud, which continued until 2011. In 2013, centrist cleric Dr. Hasan Fereidun Ruhani, a senior regime member, was elected president, promising societal and foreign policy reforms. In 2019, a sudden increase in gasoline prices sparked nationwide protests, which were violently suppressed by the regime. Conservatives won the majority in the 2020 Majles elections, and hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi was elected president in 2021, resulting in conservative control over both elected and unelected institutions.
Iran remains under various international sanctions and export controls due to its involvement in terrorism, weapons proliferation, human rights abuses, and concerns about its nuclear program. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) provided nuclear-related sanctions relief starting in 2016, but the US reinstated these sanctions after withdrawing from the JCPOA in 2018. In October 2023, the EU and the UK maintained nuclear-proliferation-related measures and arms and missile embargoes on Iran in response to its non-compliance with JCPOA commitments.
President Raisi has focused on strengthening Iran’s relations with anti-US states, particularly China and Russia, to mitigate the impact of US sanctions and diplomatic pressure. While supporting negotiations to restore the nuclear deal, which began in 2021, Raisi faced nationwide protests starting in September 2022 after the death of Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in morality police custody. These protests, led by young people and women, demanded regime change and persisted for over three months.
Geography
Location:
Nestled in the heart of the Middle East, this region stretches along the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, positioned strategically between Iraq and Pakistan.
Geographic Coordinates:
Latitude: 32°00’N, Longitude: 53°00’E
Map References:
Middle East
Geography of Iran
Total Area:
- Overall: 1,648,195 sq km
- Land: 1,531,595 sq km
- Water: 116,600 sq km
- Global Ranking: 19th largest country
Comparative Size:
- Texas: Almost 2.5 times larger
- Alaska: Slightly smaller
Land Boundaries:
- Total Length: 5,894 km
- Neighboring Countries (7): Afghanistan (921 km), Armenia (44 km), Azerbaijan (689 km), Iraq (1,599 km), Pakistan (959 km), Turkey (534 km), Turkmenistan (1,148 km)
Coastline:
- Length: 2,440 km
- Note: Also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)
Maritime Claims:
- Territorial Sea: 12 nautical miles
- Contiguous Zone: 24 nautical miles
- Exclusive Economic Zone: Defined by bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf
- Continental Shelf: Extends to the natural prolongation
Climate:
- General: Mostly arid or semi-arid
- Caspian Coast: Subtropical
Terrain:
- Description: Rugged, mountainous rim; high central basin with deserts and mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts
Elevation:
- Highest Point: Kuh-e Damavand, 5,625 m
- Lowest Point: Caspian Sea, -28 m
- Mean Elevation: 1,305 m
Natural Resources:
- Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
Land Use (2018 estimates):
- Agricultural Land: 30.1%
- Arable Land: 10.8%
- Permanent Crops: 1.2%
- Permanent Pasture: 18.1%
- Forest: 6.8%
- Other: 63.1%
Irrigated Land:
- Total: 79,721 sq km (2020)
Major Lakes:
- Salt Water:
- Caspian Sea (shared): 374,000 sq km
- Lake Urmia: 5,200 sq km
- Lake Namak: 750 sq km
Major Rivers:
- Euphrates (3,596 km): Shared with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq
- Tigris (1,950 km): Shared with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq
- Helmand (1,130 km): Shared with Afghanistan
Major Watersheds:
- Indian Ocean Drainage (Persian Gulf): Includes Tigris and Euphrates, covering 918,044 sq km
Population Distribution:
- Dense Areas: North, northwest, and west, near Zagros and Elburz Mountains
- Sparse Areas: Central and eastern deserts (Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut)
Natural Hazards:
- Periodic droughts and floods
- Dust storms and sandstorms
- Earthquakes
Strategic Geography:
- Significant Location: On the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, critical maritime routes for crude oil transport
People and Society
Population:
- Total: 88,386,937
- Male: 44,795,539
- Female: 43,591,398 (2024 est.)
- Global Rankings: Female 17th, Male 17th, Total 17th
Nationality:
- Noun: Iranian(s)
- Adjective: Iranian
Ethnic Groups:
- Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen, and various Turkic tribes.
Languages:
- Official: Persian (Farsi)
- Other Languages: Azeri and other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, Arabic.
- Major Language Sample: “چکیده نامه جهان، منبعی ضروری برای کسب اطلاعات کلی جهان” (The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information).
Religions:
- Muslim (official): 98.5%
- Christian: 0.7%
- Baha’i: 0.3%
- Agnostic: 0.3%
- Other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Hindu): 0.2% (2020 est.)
Age Structure:
- 0-14 years: 23.3% (male 10,512,797 / female 10,040,282)
- 15-64 years: 69.8% (male 31,413,125 / female 30,267,241)
- 65 years and over: 7% (male 2,869,617 / female 3,283,875) (2024 est.)
Dependency Ratios:
- Total Dependency Ratio: 45.3
- Youth Dependency Ratio: 34.6
- Elderly Dependency Ratio: 10.7
- Potential Support Ratio: 9.3 (2021 est.)
Median Age:
- Total: 33.8 years (2024 est.)
- Male: 33.6 years
- Female: 34.1 years
- Global Ranking: 110th
Population Growth Rate: 0.88% (2024 est.)
- Global Ranking: 104th
Birth Rate: 14.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
- Global Ranking: 119th
Death Rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
- Global Ranking: 187th
Net Migration Rate: -0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
- Global Ranking: 113th
Population Distribution: High concentrations in the north, northwest, and west due to the Zagros and Elburz Mountains; lower densities in central and eastern desert regions (Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut).
Urbanization:
- Urban Population: 77.3% (2023)
- Urbanization Rate: 1.32% annual change (2020-25 est.)
Major Urban Areas – Population:
- Tehran (capital): 9.5 million
- Mashhad: 3.368 million
- Esfahan: 2.258 million
- Shiraz: 1.721 million
- Tabriz: 1.661 million
- Karaj: 1.594 million (2023)
Sex Ratio:
- At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
- 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
- Total Population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal Mortality Ratio: 22 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
- Global Ranking: 119th
Infant Mortality Rate: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
- Male: 15.4 deaths/1,000 live births
- Female: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births
- Global Ranking: 97th
Life Expectancy at Birth: 75.6 years (2024 est.)
- Male: 74.3 years
- Female: 77.1 years
- Global Ranking: 125th
Total Fertility Rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2024 est.)
- Global Ranking: 117th
Gross Reproduction Rate: 0.93 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive Prevalence Rate: Not available
Drinking Water Source:
- Improved: Urban 99.8%, Rural 98.1%, Total 99.4%
- Unimproved: Urban 0.2%, Rural 1.9%, Total 0.6% (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.3% of GDP (2020)
Physicians Density: 1.58 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital Bed Density: 1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation Facility Access:
- Improved: Urban 100%, Rural 100%, Total 100%
- Unimproved: Urban 0%, Rural 0%, Total 0% (2020 est.)
Major Infectious Diseases: Intermediate risk (2023)
- Food/Waterborne: Bacterial diarrhea
- Vectorborne: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
Obesity – Adult Prevalence Rate: 25.8% (2016)
- Global Ranking: 47th
Alcohol Consumption Per Capita: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- Beer, Wine, Other Alcohols: 0 liters
- Spirits: 0.02 liters
- Global Ranking: 181st
Tobacco Use: 13.6% (2020 est.)
- Male: 24.1%
- Female: 3.1%
- Global Ranking: 113th
Children Under 5 Years Underweight: 4.3% (2017)
- Global Ranking: 78th
Currently Married Women (Ages 15-49): 70.3% (2023 est.)
Education Expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
- Global Ranking: 137th
Literacy:
- Definition: Age 15 and over can read and write
- Total Population: 88.7%
- Male: 92.4%
- Female: 88.7% (2021)
School Life Expectancy (Primary to Tertiary Education): 15 years (2020)
- Male: 15 years
- Female: 15 years
Environment
Current Issues
- Air Pollution: Major concerns in urban areas due to vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents.
- Deforestation: Extensive tree loss impacting ecosystems.
- Overgrazing and Desertification: Leading to the degradation of land.
- Oil Pollution: Notably in the Persian Gulf.
- Wetland Losses: Aggravated by drought conditions.
- Soil Degradation: Issues such as salination reducing agricultural productivity.
- Water Supply: Inadequate access to potable water.
- Water Pollution: Contamination from raw sewage and industrial waste.
- Urbanization: Rapid urban growth contributing to environmental stress.
International Agreements
- Party To:
- Biodiversity
- Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol)
- Desertification
- Endangered Species
- Hazardous Wastes
- Marine Dumping (London Convention and Protocol)
- Nuclear Test Ban
- Ozone Layer Protection
- Ship Pollution
- Wetlands
- Signed but Not Ratified:
- Climate Change (Paris Agreement)
- Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
- Environmental Modification
- Law of the Sea
- Marine Life Conservation
Climate
- General Climate: Predominantly arid or semi-arid, subtropical along the Caspian coast.
Land Use
- Agricultural Land: 30.1% (2018)
- Arable Land: 10.8%
- Permanent Crops: 1.2%
- Permanent Pasture: 18.1%
- Forest: 6.8%
- Other: 63.1%
Urbanization
- Urban Population: 77.3% of total population (2023)
- Urbanization Rate: 1.32% annual change (2020-2025)
Economic Impact
- Revenue from Forest Resources: 0.01% of GDP (2017, ranked 152nd)
- Revenue from Coal: 0.01% of GDP (2017, ranked 47th)
Air Pollutants
- Particulate Matter: 31.62 micrograms per cubic meter (2019)
- Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 661.71 megatons (2016)
- Methane Emissions: 158.71 megatons (2020)
Waste and Recycling
- Municipal Solid Waste: 17.885 million tons generated annually (2017)
- Recycled: 894,250 tons (5%)
Major Water Bodies
- Lakes:
- Caspian Sea: 374,000 sq km
- Lake Urmia: 5,200 sq km
- Lake Namak: 750 sq km
- Rivers:
- Euphrates: 3,596 km (shared with Turkey, Syria, Iraq)
- Tigris: 1,950 km (shared with Turkey, Syria, Iraq)
- Helmand: 1,130 km (shared with Afghanistan)
Watersheds
- Indian Ocean Drainage: Tigris and Euphrates – 918,044 sq km
Water Resources
- Total Withdrawal:
- Municipal: 6.2 billion cubic meters (2020)
- Industrial: 1.1 billion cubic meters (2020)
- Agricultural: 86 billion cubic meters (2020)
- Total Renewable Water Resources: 137.05 billion cubic meters (2020)
Geoparks
- Global and Regional Networks:
- Aras
- Qeshm Island
- Tabas (2023)
Government
Country Name
- Long Form: Islamic Republic of Iran
- Short Form: Iran
- Former Name: Persia
Government Type
- Type: Theocratic Republic
Capital
- Name: Tehran
- Coordinates: 35°42′ N, 51°25′ E
- Time: UTC+3.5 (no daylight saving)
Administrative Divisions
- Provinces: 31
Independence
- Proclaimed: 1 April 1979
National Holiday
- Republic Day: 1 April (1979)
Constitution
- Adopted: 24 October 1979, effective 3 December 1979
- Amendments: Last amended in 1989
Legal System
- System: Based on secular and Islamic law
International Participation
- Organizations:
- BRICS, CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic Representation
- In the US: Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy
- From the US: Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy
National Symbols
- Flag: Three horizontal bands of green, white, and red with a red emblem in the center and “ALLAH AKBAR” repeated 22 times.
- Anthem: “Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran”
National Heritage
- World Heritage Sites: 27 (25 cultural, 2 natural)
This new content is structured to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of Iran’s environmental and governmental details, suitable for educational and informative purposes.
Economic Overview:
Iran’s economy, traditionally state-controlled, is undergoing reforms to restructure state-owned financial entities. The country boasts strong sectors in oil/gas, agriculture, and services. However, recent severe inflation has stemmed from exchange rate depreciation, international sanctions, and growing investor uncertainty, leading to increasing poverty rates.
Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity):
- $1.369 trillion (2022)
- $1.319 trillion (2021)
$1.26 trillion (2020)
- Note: Figures in 2017 dollars; global ranking: 20th.
Real GDP Growth Rate:
- 3.78% (2022)
- 4.72% (2021)
3.33% (2020)
- Note: Annual GDP growth rate in constant local currency; global ranking: 114th.
Real GDP Per Capita:
- $15,500 (2022)
- $15,000 (2021)
$14,400 (2020)
- Note: Figures in 2017 dollars; global ranking: 106th.
GDP (Official Exchange Rate):
$413.493 billion (2022)
- Note: Figures in current dollars at the official exchange rate.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices):
- 43.49% (2022)
- 43.39% (2021)
30.59% (2020)
- Note: Annual % change based on consumer prices; global ranking: 214th.
GDP Composition by Sector:
- Agriculture: 9.6% (2016)
- Industry: 35.3% (2016)
Services: 55% (2017)
- Sector rankings: Services 154th, Industry 45th, Agriculture 92nd.
GDP Composition by End Use:
- Household consumption: 49.7% (2017)
- Government consumption: 14% (2017)
- Investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2017)
- Investment in inventories: 14.5% (2017)
- Exports: 26% (2017)
- Imports: -24.9% (2017)
Key Agricultural Products:
Wheat, sugarcane, milk, sugar beets, tomatoes, barley, potatoes, vegetables, oranges, chicken (2022).
Major Industries:
Petroleum, petrochemicals, gas, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and construction materials, food processing, metal fabrication, and armaments.
Industrial Production Growth Rate:
7.4% (2022)
- Global ranking: 34th.
Labor Force:
28.641 million (2022)
- Global ranking: 24th.
Unemployment Rate:
- 8.82% (2022)
- 9.28% (2021)
9.69% (2020)
- Global ranking: 158th.
Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15-24):
- Total: 27.2% (2021)
- Male: 24%
Female: 41.7%
- Global ranking: 51st.
Population Below Poverty Line:
- 18.7% (2007)
Gini Index (Income Inequality):
40.9 (2019)
- Global ranking: 46th.
Average Household Expenditures:
- Food: 28.7% (2021)
- Alcohol and Tobacco: 0.5% (2021)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share:
- Lowest 10%: 2.3%
- Highest 10%: 31.7% (2019)
Remittances:
- 0.55% of GDP (2020)
- 0.47% of GDP (2019)
- 0.4% of GDP (2018)
Budget:
- Revenues: $60.714 billion (2019)
- Expenditures: $90.238 billion (2019)
Deficit: -2.3% of GDP (2017)
- Global ranking: 109th.
Public Debt:
- 39.5% of GDP (2017)
47.5% of GDP (2016)
- Global ranking: 136th.
Taxes and Other Revenues:
17.3% of GDP (2017)
- Global ranking: 110th.
Fiscal Year:
- March 21 – March 20
Current Account Balance:
- $9.491 billion (2017)
$16.28 billion (2016)
- Global ranking: 27th.
Exports:
- $110.882 billion (2022)
- $82.015 billion (2021)
$46.568 billion (2020)
- Global ranking: 47th.
Top Export Partners:
- China 36%
- Turkey 20%
- Kuwait 6%
- Pakistan 5%
- India 4% (2022)
Top Export Commodities:
Ethylene polymers, refined copper, acyclic alcohols, aluminum, natural gas (2022).
Imports:
- $102.47 billion (2022)
- $77.33 billion (2021)
$58.461 billion (2020)
- Global ranking: 47th.
Top Import Partners:
- China 28%
- UAE 19%
- Brazil 13%
- Turkey 9%
- India 6% (2022)
Top Import Commodities:
Broadcasting equipment, corn, soybeans, vehicle parts/accessories, rice (2022).
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold:
- $120.6 billion (31 December 2017)
$133.7 billion (31 December 2016)
- Global ranking: 23rd.
External Debt:
- $7.995 billion (31 December 2017)
$8.196 billion (31 December 2016)
- Global ranking: 121st.
Exchange Rates (IRR per USD):
- 42,000 (2021-2019)
- 40,864.329 (2018)
- 33,226.298 (2017)
Energy Overview
Electricity Access
- Electrification (2021): 100% of the total population has access to electricity.
Electricity Statistics
- Installed Generating Capacity (2020): 80.553 million kW
- Consumption (2019): 279.826 billion kWh
- Exports (2019): 6.365 billion kWh
- Imports (2019): 2.738 billion kWh
- Transmission/Distribution Losses (2019): 34.303 billion kWh
Global Comparison Rankings
- Installed Generating Capacity: 17th
- Transmission/Distribution Losses: 204th
- Imports: 54th
- Exports: 29th
- Consumption: 14th
Electricity Generation Sources (2020)
- Fossil Fuels: 88.7%
- Nuclear: 1.9%
- Solar: 0.1%
- Wind: 0.2%
- Hydroelectricity: 9.1%
- Tide and Wave: 0%
- Geothermal: 0%
- Biomass and Waste: 0%
Nuclear Energy
- Operational Nuclear Reactors (2023): 1
- Reactors Under Construction: 1
- Net Capacity of Operational Reactors (2023): 0.92 GW
- Total Electricity Production (2021): 0.1%
- Total Energy Produced (2021): 0.19%
- Reactors Permanently Shut Down: 0
Coal
- Production (2020): 2.783 million metric tons
- Consumption (2020): 2.794 million metric tons
- Exports (2020): 76,000 metric tons
- Imports (2020): 87,000 metric tons
- Proven Reserves (2019): 1.203 billion metric tons
Petroleum
- Total Production (2021): 3,450,300 bbl/day
- Refined Petroleum Consumption (2019): 1.934 million bbl/day
- Crude Oil and Lease Condensate Exports (2018): 2,230,900 bbl/day
- Crude Oil and Lease Condensate Imports (2018): 33,500 bbl/day
- Estimated Reserves (2021): 208.6 billion barrels
Refined Petroleum Products
- Production (2015): 1.764 million bbl/day (11th globally)
- Exports (2015): 397,200 bbl/day (21st globally)
- Imports (2015): 64,160 bbl/day (72nd globally)
Natural Gas
- Production (2019): 237.561 billion cubic meters
- Consumption (2019): 220.704 billion cubic meters
- Exports (2019): 17.607 billion cubic meters
- Imports (2019): 1.153 billion cubic meters
- Proven Reserves (2021): 33.987 trillion cubic meters
Carbon Dioxide Emissions (2019)
- Total Emissions: 646.038 million metric tonnes
- From Coal and Metallurgical Coke: 5.142 million metric tonnes
- From Petroleum and Other Liquids: 204.21 million metric tonnes
- From Consumed Natural Gas: 436.687 million metric tonnes
- Global Ranking: 8th in total emissions
Energy Consumption Per Capita (2019)
- Per Capita Consumption: 145.54 million Btu/person
- Global Ranking: 36th
Communications in Iran
Telephones – Fixed Lines
- Total subscriptions: 29,342,060 (2022 estimate)
- Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2021 estimate)
- Global ranking by total subscriptions: 7th
Telephones – Mobile Cellular
- Total subscriptions: 135,899,424 (2021 estimate)
- Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 155 (2021 estimate)
- Global ranking by total subscriptions: 13th
Telecommunication Systems
- Overview: Iran’s telecom infrastructure has faced challenges due to international sanctions, impacting the import of necessary equipment and promoting smuggling, which led to tax revenue losses. In response, the government initiated a device registration scheme and increased domestic manufacturing of mobile phones. Investments in expanding LTE networks have enhanced network capacity and mobile broadband quality. The country is also preparing for 5G deployment by reallocating the 3.5GHz band for this purpose. With a large and young tech-savvy population, Iran offers significant growth potential in the telecom sector. National roaming services are being introduced to improve connectivity in rural areas.
- Domestic: Fixed-line subscriptions stand at approximately 33 per 100 inhabitants, while mobile-cellular subscriptions are about 155 per 100 inhabitants (2021).
- International: Country code – 98. Iran has several landing points for undersea cables connecting it to the Middle East, Africa, and India, along with fiber-optic links to neighboring countries. The country maintains HF radio and microwave radio relay connections to various countries, supported by 13 satellite earth stations (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) as of 2019.
Broadcast Media
- State-Run Media: The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) operates over 60 TV channels, more than 50 radio stations, and numerous newspapers and websites. There are about 20 foreign Persian-language TV stations accessible via satellite, though satellite dish usage is illegal and sporadically enforced.
- Internet:
- Country code: .ir
- Users: 69.52 million (2021 estimate), representing 79% of the population. Iran ranks 13th globally in the number of internet users.
- Broadband:
- Fixed subscriptions: 9,564,195 (2020 estimate), equating to 11 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.
- Global ranking by total subscriptions: 21st
Transportation Infrastructure Overview
National Air Transport System
- Registered Air Carriers: 22 (2020)
- Aircraft Inventory: 237 aircraft
- Annual Passenger Traffic: 25,604,871 passengers (2018)
- Annual Freight Traffic: 290.74 million mt-km (2018)
- Civil Aircraft Registration Prefix: EP
Airports
- Total: 173 (2024)
- Global Ranking: 33
Heliports
- Total: 89 (2024)
Pipelines
- Condensate: 7 km
- Condensate/Gas: 973 km
- Gas: 20,794 km
- Liquid Petroleum Gas: 570 km
- Oil: 8,625 km
- Refined Products: 7,937 km (2013)
Railways
- Total Length: 8,483.5 km (2014)
- Standard Gauge: 8,389.5 km (1.435-m gauge, 189.5 km electrified)
- Broad Gauge: 94 km (1.676-m gauge)
- Global Ranking: 25
Roadways
- Total Length: 223,485 km
- Paved: 195,618 km
- Unpaved: 27,867 km (2016)
- Global Ranking: 21
Waterways
- Total Length: 850 km (2012) (primarily on the Karun River and Lake Urmia)
- Global Ranking: 76
Merchant Marine
- Total Vessels: 965 (2023)
- Types: 32 bulk carriers, 28 container ships, 398 general cargo ships, 86 oil tankers, 421 other types
- Global Ranking: 24
Ports
- Total Ports: 18 (2024)
- Large: 0
- Medium: 4
- Small: 6
- Very Small: 8
- Ports with Oil Terminals: 13
- Key Ports: Abadan, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Khorramshahr
Military and Security
Military and security forces
It seems like you’re looking for information about the military and security forces of Iran. Here’s a summary of the key components:
- Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh):
- Ground Forces
- Navy (including marines)
- Air Force
- Air Defense Forces
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC or Sepah):
- Ground Forces
- Navy (including marines)
- Aerospace Force (controls strategic missile force)
- Qods Force (special operations)
- Cyber Electronic Command
- Basij Paramilitary Forces
- Ministry of Interior:
- Law Enforcement Command
- Ministry of Intelligence and Security (2023)
- Basij: A volunteer paramilitary group under the IRGC with local organizations across the country. It sometimes acts as an auxiliary law enforcement unit for the IRGC. It is formally known as the Organization for the Mobilization of the Oppressed and also known as the Popular Mobilization Army.
- Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA): The uniformed police of Iran, including branches for public security, traffic control, anti-narcotics, special forces (riot control, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, etc.), intelligence, and criminal investigations. It has responsibility for border security (Border Guard Command).
The Artesh Navy operates Iran’s larger warships and operates in the Gulf of Oman, the Caspian Sea, and deep waters in the region and beyond. The IRGC Navy has responsibility for the closer-in waters of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
The Ministry of Intelligence and Security, law enforcement forces under the Interior Ministry, and the IRGC share responsibility for law enforcement and maintaining order.
Military expenditures
2.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
2.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.5% of GDP (2019 est.)
3.4% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 44
My last update includes information up to 2023. Here’s the provided content:
Military and Security Service Personnel Strengths:
- Up to 600,000 active armed forces personnel in Iran.
- Approximately 400,000 Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces, including 350,000 Ground Forces, 18,000 Navy, and 40,000 Air Force/Air Defense Forces.
- Approximately 150,000-190,000 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel, including 100,000-150,000 Ground Forces, 20,000 Navy, 15,000 Aerospace Force, and 5,000-15,000 Qods Force.
- Estimated 90,000 active Basij Paramilitary Forces in 2023.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions:
- Mix of domestically produced and mostly older foreign equipment, including Chinese, Russian, Soviet, and US origin (US equipment acquired prior to the Islamic Revolution in 1979).
- Some military equipment from North Korea, including midget submarines and ballistic missiles.
- In recent years, Iran has received some newer equipment from Russia.
- Iran has a defense industry with the capacity to develop, produce, support, and sustain air, land, missile, and naval weapons programs.
Military Service Age and Obligation:
- Military service is compulsory for all Iranian men aged 18/19 to approximately age 40, with voluntary service starting at age 16 (may be as low as 15 for the Basij).
- Conscript military service obligation is up to 24 months, depending on the location of service.
- Women are exempted from military service in Iran.
Military Deployments:
- Iran maintains a military presence in Syria reportedly consisting of a few thousand personnel, mostly special operations and IRGC forces (2024).
- Iran has recruited, trained, and funded thousands of Syrian and foreign fighters to support the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war.
Military Note:
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was formed in May 1979 in the aftermath of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s fall.
- The IRGC played a critical role in helping Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini consolidate power after the 1979 revolution.
- Today, the IRGC is heavily involved in internal security and has significant influence in the political and economic spheres of Iranian society, as well as Iran’s foreign policy.
- The IRGC’s special operations forces, known as the Qods Force, specialize in foreign missions and have provided support to militants in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, as well as extremist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Kata’ib Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
- The Supreme Council for National Security (SCNS) is the senior-most body for formulating Iran’s foreign and security policy, reporting to the supreme leader.
- Iran’s Armed Forces are divided between the regular forces (Artesh) and the IRGC, with the Artesh primarily focused on defending Iran’s borders and the IRGC having a broader mission to defend the Islamic revolution from any threat.
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Space Exploration in Iran
Space Agencies:
Iran boasts an ambitious space program overseen by various organizations, including the Iranian Space Agency (ISA), established in 2003 through the amalgamation of the Iranian Remote Sensing Center and select activities of the Telecommunications Company of Iran. The Iran Space Research Center, founded in 2000, plays a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s space endeavors. Additionally, entities such as the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Space Command, formed in 2020, contribute significantly to Iran’s space capabilities.
Launch Facilities:
Iran’s space launch capabilities are facilitated by several key sites, including the Imam Khomeini Space Center, also known as the Semnan Space Center, located in Semnan province. The Shahroud Space Center, situated within an IRGC military base in Semnan Province, serves as another crucial launch facility. Furthermore, the Qom Space Center in Qom Province, along with the inauguration of the first space monitoring center near Delijan in Markazi Province in 2013, underscores Iran’s commitment to expanding its space infrastructure.
Space Program Overview:
Iran’s space program is multifaceted, with a dual emphasis on civil and military applications. The program centers on the acquisition and operation of satellites, alongside the development of indigenous space launch vehicles (SLVs). Notably, Iran is proficient in designing, constructing, and operating various satellite types, including those for communication, remote sensing (RS), and scientific research purposes. In tandem, the nation actively pursues research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing telecommunications, RS capabilities, navigation systems, and space situational awareness.
Despite facing sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council and other international bodies due to its weapons of mass destruction program, Iran has forged partnerships in the space domain. Collaborations with countries like North Korea and Russia have facilitated knowledge exchange and technological cooperation. Moreover, Iran maintains ties with regional and international space organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization and the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization. As a founding member of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), established in 1958, Iran remains committed to leveraging space for peaceful purposes while advancing its national interests and scientific aspirations.
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force
- Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
- Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah)
- Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
- Al-Qa’ida
Transnational Issues
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons:
- Refugees: Iran hosts a significant number of Afghan refugees, including 500,000 undocumented Afghans, 750,000 Afghan refugee card holders, and 12,000 Iraqi refugee card holders as of 2022.
- Stateless Persons: As of mid-year 2021, there were 34 stateless persons in Iran.
Trafficking in Persons:
- Tier Rating: Iran has been rated as Tier 3 for trafficking by the US State Department, indicating that it does not meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. The government has taken some steps to prevent trafficking, such as providing access to schools, basic services, and temporary immigration relief for some Afghan children and adult refugees or migrants. However, it has also been accused of employing or recruiting child soldiers, facilitating human trafficking, and perpetrating trafficking crimes with impunity.
- Trafficking Profile: Human traffickers exploit both domestic and foreign victims in Iran, while Iranians are also exploited abroad. The country’s economic challenges have worsened the situation, especially for vulnerable groups like ethnic minorities, refugees, migrants, LGBTQI+ individuals, women, and children. Sex trafficking is a significant issue, with the government reportedly condoning and sometimes directly facilitating commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of adults and children. Iranian and Afghan refugee and migrant children, as well as orphans and homeless children, are highly vulnerable to forced labor in Iran. Criminal groups are also involved in human trafficking, including kidnapping or purchasing Iranian and migrant children for forced labor and sexual exploitation.
Illicit Drugs:
- Iran is a significant transit and destination country for opiates and cannabis products, mainly from Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also produces and consumes methamphetamine, trafficking it to international markets. The country serves as a primary transshipment route for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe. Opium, cannabis, and crystal methamphetamine are among the most widely used drugs domestically, with a notable increase in crystal methamphetamine use.