Islamic Republic of Iran
Follow the latest news from Iran live on 20 Minutes through our articles and live updates. Iran is a country located in Western Asia, bordered by the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkey and Iraq to the west, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the southeast, and Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northeast. The country is also bordered by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to the east. Iran has a rich history and culture, with historical monuments such as the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great, the palace of Persepolis, and the bazaar of Isfahan.
The population is mainly composed of Persians, but there are also ethnic minorities such as Azeris, Kurds, and Arabs. Iran is a predominantly Shiite country, but also has significant Sunni and Jewish minorities. The official language is Persian, and the national currency is the Iranian rial.
Genesis of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran was born out of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the monarchic regime led by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The revolution was led by religious, political, and popular leaders, the most famous being Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
The revolution began in 1978, when popular demonstrations erupted throughout the country in response to government repression, corruption, and the suppression of civil liberties. The demonstrations continued to intensify and grow in number, leading to the Shah fleeing the country in January 1979.
In February of the same year, Khomeini returned to Iran after 15 years in exile and was welcomed as a hero by the population. He quickly took control of the revolution and proclaimed the creation of an Islamic republic on April 1, 1979.
In the early years of the Islamic Republic, Iran experienced significant political and economic instability, with internal conflicts among different revolutionary groups and social unrest. The country also faced a war with Iraq that lasted nearly 8 years, from 1980 to 1988.
Since then, the Islamic Republic of Iran has experienced some political and economic stability, but has also faced tensions with Western countries and neighboring nations. The country remains a key player in the region, with close ties to political movements and armed groups in neighboring countries, particularly in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. Since the late 2000s, Iran has also faced increasing tensions with the United States and its allies due to its nuclear program.
