Khoramshahr 4: Iran successfully test-launches ballistic missile
DUBAI: Iran successfully test-launched Khoramshahr 4, a ballistic missile with a potential 2,000-km range on… Read More
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.
DUBAI: Iran successfully test-launched Khoramshahr 4, a ballistic missile with a potential 2,000-km range on… Read More
TEHRAN: Iran has named an ambassador to Saudi Arabia, state media reported Wednesday, sealing a… Read More
GWADAR: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan and Iran had decided… Read More
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif along with Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi inaugurated 100 MW… Read More
TEHRAN: Iran has summoned Iraq's ambassador to protest over the presence of Iranian opposition groups… Read More
TEHRAN: Iran executed three convicted drug cartel members Wednesday, the judiciary said, after the United… Read More
TEHRAN: Iran executed Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Chaab for "terrorism" on Saturday, according to the judiciary.… Read More
TEHRANL: Iranian authorities have arrested managers at a major petrochemical company for backing a workers'… Read More
Iran's Ebrahim Raisi is set to travel to Damascus Wednesday in the first visit by… Read More
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has asserted that Pakistan holds its brotherly relations with… Read More
TEHRAN: Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi will go to Damascus on Wednesday at the official invitation… Read More
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday called for boosting cooperation with Iran and Romania… Read More
ISTANBUL: Russia will host a new round of talks on Tuesday aimed at normalising ties… Read More
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday asserted that the restoration of ties… Read More
DUBAI: Iran has officially invited Saudi Arabia's king to visit the country, an Iranian Foreign… Read More
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations… Read More
Russia started fuel exports to Iran by rail this year for the first time after… Read More
A Saudi delegation arrived in Tehran Saturday to discuss reopening the kingdom's diplomatic missions in… Read More
The foreign ministers of Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing on… Read More
The top envoys for Saudi Arabia and Iran will meet in Beijing on Thursday, an… Read More