All About

-IRAN-

I)HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF IRAN:

 • Ancient Persia: The history of Iran can be traced back to ancient times, with
Persia being one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. The Achaemenid
Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE, was one of the first
Persian empires. Under Darius the Great, the empire expanded and became
known for its administrative innovations such as the Cyrus Cylinder.
• Islamic Conquest: In the 7th century CE, Islamic armies conquered Persia,
resulting in conversion of the population to Islam. The Islamic caliphates ruled
Iran for several centuries.
• Safavid Empire: In the 16th century, the Safavid dynasty marked the beginning
of the modern Iranian state. They promoted Shia Islam as the state religion,
which has had a long-lasting impact on Iran's identity.
• Qajar Dynasty: The Qajar dynasty ruled Iran from the 18th-20th century, during
which Iran faced significant challenges, including foreign interventions, the loss
of territory to Russia and the British Empire, etc.
• Pahlavi Dynasty: In the early 20th century, Reza Shah Pahlavi established the
Pahlavi dynasty and modernized Iran, including the introduction of a legal code
and education reforms.

II)Constitutional Developments:
• 1906 Constitution: The Constitutional Revolution of 1906-1911 led to the
adoption of Iran's first constitution in 1906. It established a constitutional
monarchy with limited powers for the monarch and a parliament (Majlis). The
constitution guaranteed civil rights and established the rule of law.
 • 1925 Constitution: Reza Shah Pahlavi, who came to power in 1925, introduced
a new constitution that increased the power of the monarch and limited the
influence of the parliament.
• 1979 Revolution and the Islamic Republic: This led to the overthrow of the
Pahlavi monarchy and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. A new
constitution was adopted in 1979, which enshrined the principles of Islamic
governance.
• Amendments and Political Developments: Iran has seen various
constitutional amendments and political developments, including elections,
changes in leadership, and debates over the balance of power between the
clerical and elected authorities.

III)Geographic Features of Iran:

• Geographically, the country of Iran is in West Asia and borders the
Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
• With an area of 1,648,000 square kilometers (636,000 sq mi), Iran ranks
seventeenth in size among the countries of the world. Iran shares its
northern borders with several states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and
Turkmenistan.
IV)Topographic Features:
1. Mountains:
• Alborz Mountains:
• Zagros Mountains:
2.Plateaus:
• Iranian Plateau:
3.Deserts:
• Great Salt Desert
 • Lut Desert
4. Rivers and Lakes
• Karun River
• Urmia Lake
5.Islands:
• Qeshm Island

V)Political Features:
• 1. Islamic Republic: Iran officially operates as an Islamic Republic, which means
that Islamic principles play a significant role in the country's governance and
legal system.
• Supreme Leader: the Supreme Leader holds significant power and authority. He
is the highest-ranking political and religious authority in the country and has the
final say on critical matters of state. Ali Khamenei was one of the Supreme
Leader.
• Elected President: Iran also has an elected president who serves as the head of
government and is responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of the state.
He was elected for a four-year term.
 • Majlis (Parliament): Iran has a unicameral parliament known as the Majlis,
which is responsible for passing legislation and representing the interests of the
people. Members of the Majlis are elected by popular vote for four-year terms.
• Council of Guardians: The Council of Guardians is a powerful body responsible
for ensuring people’s adherence to Islamic principles and the Constitution.
• Military Influence: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a powerful
military and paramilitary organization that plays a significant role in Iran's
political and economic spheres. It is loyal to the Supreme Leader and is involved
in various aspects of national security.
• Legal System: Iran's legal system is based on Islamic law (Sharia) and civil law
principles. It has a complex legal structure that includes both civil and religious
courts.
• Elections and Public Participation: Iran holds regular elections for various
political offices, including presidential and parliamentary elections. While these
elections offer a degree of political participation, the Council of Guardians'
vetting process and other constraints limit the competitiveness of the political
landscape.
• Foreign Policy: Iran's foreign policy is often characterized by its pursuit of
regional influence and a focus on issues such as its nuclear program, relations
with neighboring countries, and engagement with international organizations.

VI)Cultural Heritage:
• Ancient Civilizations: Iran is home to some of the world's earliest civilizations,
including the Elamite, Assyrian, and Median cultures. The Achaemenid Empire,
founded by Cyrus the Great, is particularly significant in Persian history. The city
of Persepolis, with its stunning palaces and reliefs, is a testament to the artistic
achievements of this era.
• Islamic Art and Architecture: Iran has been a center of Islamic art and
architecture for centuries. The country is known for its beautiful mosques,
palaces, and mausoleums, often adorned with intricate tile work, calligraphy, and
geometric designs. Prominent examples include the Imam Mosque in Isfahan and
the Golestan Palace in Tehran.
• Literary Traditions: Persian literature has a rich history, with celebrated poets
such as Rumi, Hafez, Saadi, and Ferdowsi. The epic poem "Shahnameh" (The
Book of Kings) by Ferdowsi is a cornerstone of Persian literature and tells the
history and legends of Iran.
• Music and Dance: Persian music has a long history, characterized by traditional
instruments like the tar and santur. Classical Persian music often incorporates
 poetic and lyrical elements. Traditional Persian dance, such as the graceful
movements of Persian classical dance, is also an integral part of the culture.
• Traditional Clothing: Traditional Iranian clothing varies by region but often
includes garments like the chador, abaya, and the more traditional attire of men,
which includes a long robe called a "kamiz" and a head covering called a
"sarband."
• Festivals and Celebrations: Iran celebrates various cultural and religious
festivals, such as Nowruz (the Persian New Year), which marks the arrival of
spring, and Mehregan, a festival celebrating friendship and love.

VII)Economic Conditions:
• Oil and Gas Industry: Iran possesses one of the world's largest proven oil
reserves, and it is a significant global producer and exporter of crude oil and
natural gas. The oil and gas sector has historically been a major driver of Iran's
economy and a primary source of government revenue.
• Agriculture: Agriculture plays a crucial role in Iran's economy, employing a
substantial portion of the population and contributing to food production and
exports. Wheat, rice, fruits, and vegetables are some of the key agricultural
products.
• Services Sector: The services sector, including banking, telecommunications,
and tourism, has seen growth in recent years. Tehran, the capital, serves as a
major economic and financial hub.
• Currency Challenges: Iran has faced issues related to its currency, the Iranian
rial (IRR). Rapid inflation, fluctuations in the exchange rate, and a thriving black
market for foreign currencies have posed challenges for the economy.
• Youth Unemployment: Iran has a young population, and youth unemployment
has been a persistent economic challenge. High youth unemployment rates have
contributed to social and economic discontent.
POSITION PAPER

IRAN CYBERSECURITY

Iran has been actively working on enhancing its cybersecurity

infrastructure and policies in recent years
In 2010, Iran enacted the National Cybersecurity Law, which
provides a legal framework for addressing cyber threats and crimes
Iran established the Computer Emergency Response Team of Iran
(CERT-IR) to respond to and mitigate cybersecurity incidents.
The government has launched campaigns to raise cybersecurity
awareness among the general population and within organizations.
Iran hasBYbeen developing its National Information Network to improve
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the country's digital infrastructure and reduce dependence on the
global internet. This network allows for better monitoring and control of
domestic internet traffic, which is seen as a cybersecurity measure.

Iran has engaged in international collaborations and

information-sharing on cybersecurity issues.

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