US warns against Iran deals as Tehran pressures Pakistan over pipeline project
The United States on Tuesday warned countries considering deals with Iran to be aware of… 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.
The United States on Tuesday warned countries considering deals with Iran to be aware of… Read More
The final report by the Armed Forces of Iran on the helicopter crash claimed that… Read More
At least three people have been killed and 48 others wounded when a bus carrying… Read More
HUB: A bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims from Iran crashed Makran, Balochistan on Sunday, ARY News… Read More
TEHRAN: Pakistani envoy to Iran, Muddasir Tipu has said efforts are being made to transfer… Read More
TEHRAN: At least 28 Pakistani pilgrims were killed and several others sustained injuries after a… Read More
The US FBI said on Monday it was investigating after Donald Trump's presidential campaign said… Read More
Pakistan on Friday categorically denied reports claiming that Islamabad is planning to supply Shaheen ballistic… Read More
Iran is not looking to escalate regional tensions but believes it needs to punish Israel… Read More
Iran has launched sweeping investigation into the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh by arresting more than… Read More
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has dismissed an Iranian statement regarding the situation in Parachinar as 'unnecessary', asserting… Read More
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran's Tehran, the Palestinian group Hamas said in… Read More
Iranian media said Wednesday that Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed by an air strike… Read More
Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Iran, was the head of… Read More
A farewell ceremony was held in Karachi to bid adieu to the outgoing Consul Generals… Read More
ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Tuesday announced the visa policy… Read More
TEHRAN: Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian will be sworn in before parliament in early August as the… Read More
Polls opened Friday for Iran's runoff presidential election, the interior ministry said, pitting reformist candidate… Read More
Polls in Iran opened on Friday for a presidential election following the death of ultraconservative… Read More
STOCKHOLM: Sweden and Iran carried out a prisoner exchange on Saturday, officials said, with Sweden… Read More