Background: Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority nominally vested in a learned religious scholar. Iranian-US relations have been strained since a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces between 1987-1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement. Following the elections of a reformist president and Majlis in the late 1990s, attempts to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction have floundered as conservative politicians have prevented reform measures from being enacted, increased repressive measures, and consolidated their control over the government.
June 14th 2008Middle East » Iran » North » Tehran Seriously, insanely long journey. Left hotel 5.20am local time, now 9.15pm local time and still not even time to check in. Got as far as Tehran without incident, but then getting to the airport was st ... [full story]
June 1st 2008Middle East » Iran » North » Tehran Well, we've made it in one piece. Journey out with Air France went smoothly, and immigration was much quicker than last time - we landed at the new airport, which looks good. A driver from picked us ... [full story]
May 30th 2008Middle East » Iran » North » Tehran We are the flute, our music is all Thine;
We are the mountains echoing only Thee;
And movest to defeat or victory;
Lions emblazoned high on flags unfurled-
They wind invisible sweeps us through th ... 17 photos[full story]
Map of Iran
Iran's Flag
