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== Politics ==
== Politics ==
{{main articles|[[Politics of Iran]], [[Judicial system of Iran]]}}
[[Image:Azadi1.jpg|thumb|200px|After the revolution, Shahyad Tower was renamed to [[Azadi Tower]] ''("Tower of Freedom")''.]]{{main articles|[[Politics of Iran]], [[Judicial system of Iran]]}}
[[Image:Azadi1.jpg|thumb|200px|After the revolution, Shahyad Tower was renamed to [[Azadi Tower]] ''("Tower of Freedom")''.]]


The political system of the Islamic [[Republic]] is based on the 1979 [[Constitution]] called the "''Qanun-e Asasi''" ("Fundamental Law"). The system comprises several intricately connected governing bodies, most of which are appointed. The [[Supreme Leader of Iran]] is responsible for the [[Guardianship of the jurists (doctrine)|delineation and supervision]] of "the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran". The Supreme Leader is ''Commander-in-Chief'' of the armed forces and controls the military intelligence and security operations; he alone can declare war. He has the power to appoint and dismiss the heads of the judiciary, the state radio and television networks, and the commanders of the police and military forces. He also appoints six of the twelve members of the [[Council of Guardians]].
The political system of the Islamic [[Republic]] is based on the 1979 [[Constitution]] called the "''Qanun-e Asasi''" ("Fundamental Law"). The system comprises several intricately connected governing bodies, most of which are appointed. The [[Supreme Leader of Iran]] is responsible for the [[Guardianship of the jurists (doctrine)|delineation and supervision]] of "the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran". The Supreme Leader is ''Commander-in-Chief'' of the armed forces and controls the military intelligence and security operations; he alone can declare war. He has the power to appoint and dismiss the heads of the judiciary, the state radio and television networks, and the commanders of the police and military forces. He also appoints six of the twelve members of the [[Council of Guardians]].

Revision as of 06:12, 27 April 2006

Islamic Republic of Iran
جمهوری اسلامی ايران
Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān
Motto: Persian: Esteqlāl, āzādī, jomhūrī-ye eslāmī
(English: "Independence, freedom, (the) Islamic Republic")
Anthem: Sorūd-e Mellī-e Īrān
Location of Iran
Capital
and largest city
Tehran
Official languagesPersian
GovernmentIslamic republic
Revolution
• Water (%)
0.7%
Population
• 2005 estimate
68,467,413 [1] (18th)
• 1996 census
60,055,488 [2]
GDP (PPP)2005 estimate
• Total
$560,348,000,000 (19th)
• Per capita
$8,065 (74th)
HDI (2006)0.736
high (99th)
CurrencyRial (ريال) (IRR)
Time zoneUTC+3.30
• Summer (DST)
UTC+3.30 (not observed)
Calling code98
ISO 3166 codeIR
Internet TLD.ir

The Islamic Republic of Iran (Template:PerB transliteration: Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān) or simply Iran (Template:PerB, Īrān)—officially Persia until 1935—is a Middle Eastern country located in southwestern Asia. Iran borders Armenia, Azerbaijan (including its Nakhichevan exclave), and Turkmenistan to the north, Pakistan and Afghanistan to the east, and Turkey and Iraq to the west. In addition, it borders the Persian Gulf, across which lie Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Shi'a Islam is the official state religion.

Throughout its history, Iran has been of great geostrategic importance due to its central location in Eurasia. Iran is a member and co-founder of the United Nations, the OIC and OPEC. Iran is also very important in international politics due to its large supply of petroleum and other resources.


Name

Main article: Iran naming dispute
In antiquity, the names Ariana and Persis were used to describe the region, as exhibited on this world map by Eratosthenes (c. 200 BC).

In the Achaemenid period, the Persian people called their country Pārsa, the Old Persian name for Cyrus the Great's clan. In the Sassanid period, they called it Iran, meaning "Land of the Aryans". The Greeks called the country Persis; this passed into Latin as Persia, the name widely used in the West.[3][4][5]

In modern times, there is contention over derivative names of the polity – Iran and Persia. On 21 March 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi issued a decree asking foreign delegates to use the term Iran in formal correspondence. After Persian scholars protested, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi announced in 1959 that both Persia and Iran were acceptable, and could be used interchangeably. The 1979 Revolution led to the establishment of the theocratic Islamic Republic of Iran. However, the noun Persia and the adjective Persian are still commonly used.

History

Main article: History of Iran
The 2500-year-old ruins of Persepolis
9th–11th-century Persia was at the heart of the Islamic Golden Age.

Iran is one of the 15 states considered the "Cradle of Humanity"[citation needed]. The written history of Persia (Iran) begins around 3200 BCE with the Proto-Elamite civilization, and continues with the arrival of the Aryans and the establishment of the Median dynasty, followed in 546 BCE by the Achaemenid Empire. Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 331 BCE, only to be succeeded by the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties, which followed the Achaemenids as Persia's greatest pre-Islamic empires.

Following the Islamic conquest of Persia, the country was at the heart of the Islamic Golden Age, especially during the 9th to 11th centuries. The Middle Ages saw many critical events in the region. From 1220, Persia was invaded and destroyed by the Mongol invasion, folowed later by Timur. Persia's first Shi'a Islamic state was established under the Safavid dynasty in 1501. Persia increasingly became the arena for rival colonial powers such as Imperial Russia and the British Empire.

With the rise of communism and modernization in the late 19th century, desire for change led to the Persian Constitutional Revolution of 1905–1911. In 1921, Reza Shah Pahlavi staged a coup against the Qajar dynasty. A supporter of modernization, Reza Shah planned to develop industry, build railroads, and establish a national education system, but his autocratic rule created discontent among many Iranians.

During World War II, Britain and the USSR invaded Iran from August 25 to September 17, 1941, mainly to secure Iran's oil resources and a supply corridor for themselves. The Allies of World War II forced the shah to abdicate in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who they hoped would be more supportive of them. In 1953, following the nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh was removed from power in a plot, dubbed "Operation Ajax", orchestrated by British and US intelligence agencies to protect their oil interests.[6] The monarchy was reinstated and power handed to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whose rule became increasingly dictatorial in the following years, particularly the late 1970s. With strong support from the US and UK, the Shah further modernized Iranian industry, but simultaneously crushed opposition from the Shia clergy.

In the 1970s, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini gained much popularity among Iranians, leading to the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the establishment of an Islamic republic. The new system established conservative Islamic laws and unprecedented levels of direct clerical rule. Past governments have criticised the West and in particular the US for Western support of the Shah. Relations were severely strained in 1979, after Iranian students seized US embassy personnel. Subsequently, there were attempts to export the Islamic revolution, and support anti-Western militant groups such as Lebanese Hezbollah. From 1980-1988, Iran and neighbouring Iraq engaged in the destructive Iran-Iraq War.

The struggle between reformists and conservatives continues today through electoral politics, and was a central focus in the Iranian presidential election of 2005, which resulted in the election of conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Since then, there has been an increase in tensions between Iran and the US, particularly with regard to Iran's nuclear programme. Iran claims the right to research nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which it has signed.[7]. But US, UK, France and Germany worry that Iran may be developing nuclear weapons. The Bush administration has revealed plans for nuclear strikes against Iran, which would be the first offensive nuclear bombing since World War II.[8]. Other members of the UN Security Council, in particular Russia and China, oppose military action. Significantly, Iran was recently elected vice-chair on the UN Disarmament Commission.[9] Recently, Iran announced it is researching the construction of a P2 centrifuge, which can be used to develop nuclear weapons.[10]

Politics

After the revolution, Shahyad Tower was renamed to Azadi Tower ("Tower of Freedom").
Main article: [[:Politics of Iran, Judicial system of Iran]]

The political system of the Islamic Republic is based on the 1979 Constitution called the "Qanun-e Asasi" ("Fundamental Law"). The system comprises several intricately connected governing bodies, most of which are appointed. The Supreme Leader of Iran is responsible for the delineation and supervision of "the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran". The Supreme Leader is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and controls the military intelligence and security operations; he alone can declare war. He has the power to appoint and dismiss the heads of the judiciary, the state radio and television networks, and the commanders of the police and military forces. He also appoints six of the twelve members of the Council of Guardians.

The Supreme Leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts, on the basis of his qualifications and the high popular esteem in which they are held.[11] The Constitution gives the Assembly of Experts the responsibility of supervising the Supreme Leader in the performance of his legal duties and the power to dismiss and replace the Supreme Leader at any time.

Executive

File:Mahm2.jpg
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The Constitution defines the President as the highest state authority after the Supreme Leader. The President is elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years. Presidential candidates must be approved by the Council of Guardians prior to running. The President is responsible for the implementation of the Constitution and for the exercise of executive powers, except for matters directly related to the Supreme Leader. The President appoints and supervises the Council of Ministers, coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be placed before the legislature. Eight Vice-Presidents serve under the President, as well as a cabinet of 21 ministers, who must all be approved by the legislature. Unlike many other states, the executive branch in Iran does not control the armed forces. Although the President appoints the Ministers of Intelligence and Defense, it is customary for the President to obtain explicit approval from the Supreme Leader for these two ministers before presenting them to the legislature for a vote of confidence.

Parliament

File:Jalaseh Majles.jpg
The chamber of the Islamic Consultative Assembly

The legislature of Iran is the unicameral Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami (Islamic Consultative Assembly), comprising 290 members elected for four-year terms. The Majlis drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the national budget. All Majlis candidates and all legislation from the assembly must be approved by the Council of Guardians.

Judiciary

The Supreme Leader appoints the head of the Judiciary, who in turn appoints the head of the Supreme Court and the chief public prosecutor. There are several types of courts including public courts that deal with civil and criminal cases, and "revolutionary courts" which deal with certain categories of offenses, including crimes against national security. The decisions of the revolutionary courts are final and cannot be appealed. The Special Clerical Court handles crimes allegedly committed by clerics, although it has also taken on cases involving lay people. The Special Clerical Court functions independently of the regular judicial framework and is accountable only to the Supreme Leader. The Court’s rulings are final and cannot be appealed.

Assembly of Experts

The Assembly of Experts, which meets for one week annually, comprises 86 "virtuous and learned" clerics elected by adult suffrage for eight-year terms. As with the presidential and parliamentary elections, the Council of Guardians determines candidates' eligibility. The Assembly elects the Supreme Leader and has the constitutional authority to remove the Supreme Leader from power at any time. The Assembly has never been known to challenge any of the Supreme Leader's decisions.

Council of Guardians

The Council of Guardians comprises 12 jurists including six appointed by the Supreme Leader. The head of the judiciary, who is also appointed by the Supreme Leader, recommends the remaining six, who are officially appointed by Parliament. The Council interprets the constitution and may veto Parliament. If a law is deemed incompatible with the constitution or Sharia (Islamic law) , it is referred back to Parliament for revision. In a controversial exercise of its authority, the Council has drawn upon a narrow interpretation of Iran's constitution to veto parliamentary candidates.

Expediency Council

The Expediency Council has the authority to mediate disputes between Parliament and the Council of Guardians, and serves as an advisory body to the Supreme Leader, making it one of the most powerful governing bodies in the country.

City and Village Councils

Main article: City and Village Councils of Iran

Local councils are elected by public vote to 4-year terms in all cities and villages of Iran. According to article 7 Iran's Constitution, these local councils together with the Parliament are "decision-making and administrative organs of the State". This section of the constitution was not implemented until 1999 when the first local council elections were held across the country. Councils have many different responsibilities including electing mayors, supervising the activities of municipalities; studying the social, cultural, educational, health, economic, and welfare requirements of their constituencies; planning and coordinating national participation in the implementation of social, economic, constructive, cultural, educational and other welfare affairs.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Iran

Iran consists of 30 provinces:

  1. Tehran
  2. Qom
  3. Markazi
  4. Qazvin
  5. Gilan
  6. Ardabil
  7. Zanjan
  8. East Azarbaijan
  9. West Azarbaijan
  10. Kurdistan
  11. Hamedan
  12. Kermanshah
  13. Ilam
  14. Lorestan
  15. Khuzestan
  1. Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari
  2. Kohkiluyeh and Buyer Ahmad
  3. Bushehr
  4. Fars
  5. Hormozgan
  6. Sistan and Baluchistan
  7. Kerman
  8. Yazd
  9. Isfahan
  10. Semnan
  11. Mazandaran
  12. Golestan
  13. North Khorasan
  14. Razavi Khorasan
  15. South Khorasan
Numbered map of provinces

The islands of Iran are not shown in this picture. They belong to the province of Hormozgan (# 20 on the map).

Geography and climate

Main article: Geography of Iran
Mount Damavand is Iran's highest mountain
File:2hezars.jpg
Rural houses in Mazandaran's green forests.

Iran borders Azerbaijan (length of border: 432 km / 268 mi) and Armenia (35 km / 22 mi) to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan (992 km / 616 mi) to the northeast, Pakistan (909 km / 565 mi) and Afghanistan (936 km / 582 mi) to the east, Turkey (499 km / 310 mi) and Iraq (1,458 km / 906 mi) to the west, and finally the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south. Iran's area is 1,648,000 km² ≈636,300 mi² (Land: 1,636,000 km² ≈631,663 mi², Water: 12,000 km² ≈4,633 mi²), approximately the same as Alaska.

Iran's landscape is dominated by rugged mountain ranges that separate various basins or plateaus from one another. The populous western part is the most mountainous, with ranges such as the Caucasus, Zagros and Alborz Mountains -- the latter contains Iran's highest point, Mount Damavand at 5,604 m (18,386 ft). The eastern part consists mostly of uninhabited desert basins like the saline Dasht-e Kavir, and some salt lakes.

The only large plains are found along the coast of the Caspian Sea and at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, where Iran borders the mouth of the Arvand river (Shatt al-Arab). Smaller, discontinuous plains are found along the remaining coast of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman.

Iran's climate is mostly arid or semiarid, to subtropical along the Caspian coast. On the northern edge of the country (the Caspian coastal plain) temperatures nearly fall below freezing and remain humid for the rest of the year. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 29°C (84°F). Annual precipitation is 680 mm (26 in) in the eastern part of the plain and more than 1,700 mm (75 in) in the western. To the west, settlements in the Zagros Mountains basin experience lower temperatures, severe winters, sub-freezing average daily temperatures and heavy snowfall. The eastern and central basins are arid, with less than 200 mm (8 in) of rain and have occasional desert. Average summer temperatures exceed 38°C (100°F). The coastal plains of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in southern Iran have mild winters, and very humid and hot summers. The annual precipitation ranges from 135 to 355 mm (6 to 14 in).

Economy

Main article: Economy of Iran
File:1000tomani.jpg
The Rial is Iran's official currency.
File:Meydoon sadeghiyeh.jpg
A busy commercial street in Tehran.
Alborz mountains in rising above Elahiyeh district.

Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures.

The current administration continues to follow the market reform plans of the previous one and indicated that it will diversify Iran's oil-reliant economy. It is attempting to do this by investing revenues in areas like car manufacturing, aerospace industries, consumer electronics, petrochemicals and nuclear technology. Iran also hopes to attract billions of dollars of foreign investment by creating a more favorable investment climate, such as reduced restrictions and duties on imports, and free-trade zones like in Chabahar and the island of Kish. Modern Iran has a solid middle class and a growing economy but continues to be plagued with high inflation and unemployment.

Iranian budget deficits have been a chronic problem, in part due to large-scale state subsidies– totaling some $7.25 billion per year–including foodstuffs and especially gasoline. Iran is OPEC's second largest oil producer, as it exports between four and five million barrels of oil per day; moreover, it holds 10% of the world's confirmed oil reserves. Iran also has the world's second largest natural gas reserves (after Russia). The strong oil market in 1996 helped ease financial pressures on Iran and allowed for Tehran's timely debt service payments.

State investment has boosted agriculture with the liberalization of production and the improvement of packaging and marketing helping to develop new export markets. Large-scale irrigation schemes, and the wider production of export-based agricultural items like dates, flowers and pistachios, produced the fastest economic growth of any sector in Iran over much of the 1990s. Although a series of droughts held back output growth substantially, agriculture remains one of the largest employers. Iran has also developed a biotechnology, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals industry. For energy, it currently relies on standard non-nuclear methods (having previously been unable to develop nuclear power on its own). But as of March 11, 2006, Uranium refinement — the last major hurdle to nuclear power — was revealed to have taken place in Iran. This makes it one of the few nations that can rely on nuclear energy.

Iran's major commercial partners are France, Germany, Italy, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea. Since the late 1990's, Iran has increased its economic cooperation with other developing countries, including Syria, India, Cuba, Venezuela and South Africa. Iran is also expanding its trade ties with Turkey and Pakistan and shares with its partners the common goal of creating a single economic market in West and Central Asia.

Demographics

File:Iran peoples.jpg
Ethnic diversity of Iran
Main article: Demographics of Iran

The population increased dramatically during the latter half of the 20th century to reach 70 million by 2006. In recent years Iran appears to have taken control of its high population growth rate and many studies show that Iran's population growth rate will continue to decline until it will reach replacement level and stabilize by the year 2050 (100 million).[12] [13] [14]

The Iranian diaspora is estimated at over three million people who emigrated to North America, Western Europe, and South America, mostly after the Iranian revolution. Iran also hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, with more than one million refugees, mostly from Afghanistan and Iraq. Official government policy and social factors aim towards repatriation.[15] [16] [11]

The majority of the population speaks one of the Iranian languages, including the official language, Persian. While the number, proportion, and definition of different Iranian peoples is disputed, the major ethnic groups and minorities include the Persians (51%), Azeris (24%), Gilaki and Mazandarani (8%), Kurds (7%), Arabs (3%), Baluchi (2%), Lurs (2%), Turkmens (2%), Qashqai, Armenians, Persian Jews, Georgians, Assyrians, Circassians, Tats, and others (1%).[17] The number of native speakers of the Persian in Iran is estimated at around 40 million.[18] The spread of broadcast media, central education system, and migration to larger cities means that most Iranians speak and understand Persian. Iran has a literacy rate above 80% and closer to 100% for the younger population.

Most Iranians are Muslims; 90% belong to the Shi'a branch of Islam, the official state religion, and about 9% belong to the Sunni branch (many of them are Kurds). The remainder are non-Muslim religious minorities, mainly Bahá'ís, Mandeans, Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians.[17] The latter three minority religions are officially recognized and protected, and have reserved seats in the Majles (Parliament). In contrast, the Bahá'í Faith, the largest religious minority in Iran, is not officially recognized, and has been persecuted during its existence in Iran. Since the 1979 revolution the persecution has increased with executions and the denial of access to higher education. More recent persecution towards Bahá'ís has led to the United Nations Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights stating on March 20, 2006 that "this latest development indicates that the situation with regard to religious minorities in Iran is, in fact, deteriorating." [19]

Major cities

The population of the four largest cities (2006, unless otherwise noted) are as follows (non-metropolitan estimates): [20]

Culture

File:Mehmooni2.jpg
Farhang ("culture") has always been the focal point of Iranian civilization
Main article: Culture of Iran

Iran has a long history of art, music, architecture, poetry, philosophy, traditions, and ideology.

که ایران بهشت است یا بوستان
همی بوی مشک آید از دوستان

"Whether one thinks of Iran as Eden or Garden,
The smell of musk abounds there from friend and companion."
--Firdawsi

همه عالم تن است و ایران دل
نیست گوینده زین قیاس خجل

"Iran is The Heart and all the universe The Body,
Of this claim, the poet feels no regret or humility."
--Nizami

Persian literature is also highly regarded by both native Persians and foreign scholars. The Persian language being used for over 2,500 years has left distinct marks in the history of the written word. Iranian poetry has received worldwide attention for beautiful poems and songs because of poets like Hafez, Rumi, Omar Khayyam, and Ferdowsi.

File:Hafez Small.jpg
Mausoleum of Hafez, Shiraz

With 300 international awards in the past twenty-five years, films from Iran continue to be celebrated worldwide. Perhaps the best-known director is Abbas Kiarostami. All media in Iran are controlled directly or indirectly by the state and must be approved by the Ministry of Islamic Guidance. This includes the Internet, which has become an expanding means to accessing information and self-expression among the younger population. Iran is now the world's fourth largest country of bloggers.

The quest for social justice and equity is an important Iranian cultural trait. Respect for the elderly and hospitality for foreigners are also an integral part of Iranian etiquette.

The Iranian New Year (Norouz) is celebrated on March 21, the first day of spring. Norouz was nominated as one of UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2004.[21]

In her book, New Food of Life, Najmieh Batmanglij writes that "Iranian food has much in common with the other cuisines of the Middle East, but is often considered to be the most sophisticated and imaginative of them all, as colorful and complex as a Persian carpet."

See also

Template:Iran-related topics

References

  1. ^ Template:En icon Statistical Centre, Government of Iran. ""Selected Statistical Information"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  2. ^ Template:En icon Statistical Centre, Government of Iran. ""Population by Religion and Ostan, 1375 Census (1996 CE)"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  3. ^ Template:En icon American Heritage Dictionary (Fourth Edition), Bartleby.com. ""Aryan"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  4. ^ Template:En icon National Virtual Translation Center, Government of the U.S.A. ""The Indo-Iranian Branch of the Indo-European Language Family"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  5. ^ Template:En icon Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia, University of Wisconsin. ""Iranian Languages"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  6. ^ Template:En icon Special Report, New York Times. ""The C.I.A. in Iran"". Retrieved 2006-04-10.
  7. ^ Template:En icon World News website, BBC. ""Iran breaks seals at nuclear site"". Retrieved 2006-04-22.
  8. ^ Template:En icon Online edition, Telegraph Group Limited. ""Bush is planning nuclear strikes on Iran's secret sites"". Retrieved 2006-04-24.
  9. ^ Template:En icon International, CNSNews.com. ""Iran Elected to UN Disarmament Commission"". Retrieved 2006-04-22.
  10. ^ Template:En icon Special Report, New York Times. ""New worry rises after Iran claims nuclear steps"". Retrieved 2006-04-20.
  11. ^ a b Template:En icon Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. ""Iran - The Constitution"". Retrieved 2006-04-14. Cite error: The named reference "loc"" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ Template:En icon Census Bureau, Government of the U.S.A. ""IDB Summary Demographic Data for Iran"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  13. ^ Template:En icon Asia-Pacific Population Journal, United Nations. ""A New Direction in Population Policy and Family Planning in the Islamic Republic of Iran"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  14. ^ Template:En icon Iran News, Payvand.com. ""Iran's population growth rate falls to 1.5 percent: UNFP"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  15. ^ Template:En icon World News, BBC.co.uk. ""Iran's Afghan refugees feel pressure to leave"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  16. ^ Template:En icon Integrated Regional Information Networks, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. ""Extension of Afghan repatriation agreement under possible threat"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  17. ^ a b Template:En icon World Factbook, CIA. ""Iran"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  18. ^ Template:En icon World Factbook, C.I.A. ""Iran - People"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  19. ^ Template:En icon Special Rapporteur, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. ""Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief concerned about treatment of followers of Bahá'í faith in Iran"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  20. ^ Template:En icon Stefan Helders, World Gazetteer. ""Iran: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  21. ^ Template:En icon Iran News, Payvand.com. ""Nowrouz Vital Meeting to be Held in Tehran"". Retrieved 2006-04-14.
Iran News Sites
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