Iran - statistics & facts
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a relatively large and populous country in Western Asia. It has been the ancestral home of the Persian people for almost three millennia, and it was the seat of power of some of the world鈥檚 largest and most influential empires. Iran鈥檚 rich history has meant that Persian culture, innovations, and teachings have had a major impact on the development of many Asian and European societies alike, as well as the evolution of Islam. Today, Iran borders seven other countries and occupies the stretch of land between the Middle East and Central and South Asia, as well as the coasts of the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Caspian Sea, giving it a strategically important location. Additionally, factors such as its economy, energy industry, military, and religious influence mean that Iran is considered one of the leading geopolitical powers in Western Asia.
On February 28, 2026, a joint military operation between Israel and the United States launched airstrikes on Iran, marking a significant escalation in a confrontation that had been building for months. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war. The U.S. government said the offensive was intended to curb Iran鈥檚 nuclear ambitions and noted that it might also present an opportunity for wider political change within the country, but also gave other, at times conflicting, explanations for the strikes. The war has thrown Iran and the Middle East into turmoil and could potentially upend the future of the country and the region. Moreover, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an important transport corridor for oil, gas, and other commodities, has had a negative impact on the global economy and caused fear of a new global recession.
History of Iran
The territory of present-day Iran is one of the longest-inhabited and culturally rich in the world. The Achaemenid Empire (7th to 4th centuries BCE) was the largest of the ancient world (outside of China), at its peak it stretched from Greece and Egypt to India. Because of this, Persian innovations, knowledge, and culture played a fundamental role in the development of many ancient societies across Afro-Eurasia. After falling to Alexander the Great in 331BCE, these regions were split across various successor states, and Persian influence weaned until the Arab conquest in the 7th century CE, where Persian culture and science become a defining component of the Islamic Golden Age throughout the Medieval period.
