Iran

Iran (ɪˈrɑːn)

—n
	See also Persian Empire Former name (until 1935): Persia, Official name: Islamic Republic of Iran a republic in SW Asia, between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf: a monarchy until an Islamic revolution in 1979 headed by the Ayatollah Khomeini when the Shah was obliged to leave the country. Consists chiefly of a high central desert plateau almost completely surrounded by mountains, a semitropical fertile region along the Caspian coast, and a hot and dry area beside the Persian Gulf. Oil is the most important export. Official language: Persian (Iranian or Farsi). Official religion: Muslim majority. Currency: rial. Capital: Tehran. Pop: 68 789 000 (2004 est). Area: 1 647 050 sq km (635 932 sq miles)

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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

Iran

from Pers. Iran, from Middle Persian Ērān "(land) of the Iranians," gen. pl. of ēr- "an Iranian," from Old Iranian *arya- (O. Pers. ariya-, Avestan airya-) "Iranian", from Indo-Iranian *arya- or *ārya- (see Aryan), a self-designation, perhaps meaning "compatriot."

In 1935 the government of Reza Shah Pahlavi requested governments with which it had diplomatic relations to call his country Iran, after the indigenous name, rather than the Gk.-derived Persia.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Cultural Dictionary

Iran [(i-ran, i-rahn, eye-ran)]

Republic in the Middle East, bordered by Armenia, the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan to the north; Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east; the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to the south; and Iraq and Turkey to the west. Its capital and largest city is Teheran.

Note: Core of the ancient Persian Empire, Iran was known as Persia until 1935.

Note: The United States supported the regime of the shah (king) Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who was forced by popular opposition to leave the country in 1979.

Note: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ruled from 1979 until his death in 1989, imposing strict Islamic law.

Note: In 1979, Iranian militants attacked the U.S. embassy and seized hostages, including sixty-two Americans, who were held until 1981.

Note: Iraq unsuccessfully invaded Iran in 1980.

Note: The Iranian government was widely believed to have controlled the taking of U. S. hostages in Lebanon. (See Iran-Contra affair.)

Note: The 1990s saw some moderating elements emerge to challenge the conservative heirs to Khomeini.

American Heritage

Abbreviations & Acronyms

IRAN
individual retirement annuity

Matching Quote

"All of us recognize the great benefits to our own nation and to the world of a strong and progressive Iran. Your support of the Camp David accords and your encouragement of the leaders who are or may be involved in consummating the peace effort would be very valuable."

-Jimmy Carter

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Abadan Afghanistan Ahwaz Ararat Aras Ardebil

Iran

I·ran

Iran.