Tehran, Iran

Iran, historically known as Persia until 1935, underwent a seismic geopolitical transformation in 1979 when the monarchy was overthrown, establishing the world's first modern Islamic republic. This theocratic system vests ultimate political and spiritual authority in a Supreme Leader, a position designated for a learned religious scholar. Geopolitically central yet deeply contested, Iran’s modern history has been defined by decades of strategic friction with the West—traced back to the 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis—and a grueling, eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s. Despite long-standing international economic sanctions and domestic political push-and-pull between reformist elements and conservative clerical consolidations, Iran remains a pivotal power player in the Middle East, commanding a rich cultural legacy and vital maritime access.

Population: The population of Iran is approximately 93.2 million.

Location: Iran is located in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan.

Climate: The climate of Iran is mostly arid or semiarid, turning subtropical along the Caspian coast.

Local Time: The local time of Iran is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +3:30, which is either 10.5 or 11.5 hours ahead of Los Angeles, depending on Daylight Saving Time.

Capital of Iran: The capital of Iran is Tehran.

National Day of Iran: Islamic Republic Day, 1 April (1979).

Flag of Iran: The flag of Iran features three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with the red national emblem (a stylized representation of the word *Allah*) centered in the white band. The phrase *Allāhu Akbar* (God is Great) is repeated 22 times in white Kufic script along the inner edges of the green and red bands.

Currency: The currency of Iran is the Iranian rial (﷼ / IRR).