Iran

Iran

Introduction

Background

Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts – a popularly elected 86-member body of clerics. US-Iranian 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 and 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, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and its nuclear weapons ambitions. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, through the control of unelected institutions, prevented reform measures from being enacted and increased repressive measures. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran’s elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud. The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions (1696 in July 2006, 1737 in December 2006, 1747 in March 2007, 1803 in March 2008, and 1835 in September 2008 and 1929 in June 2010) calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA obligations and responsibilities. Resolutions 1737, 1477, 1803 and 1929 subject a number of Iranian individuals and entities involved in Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs to sanctions. Additionally, several Iranian entities are subject to US sanctions under Executive Order 13382 designations for proliferation activities and EO 13224 designations for support of terrorism. In mid-February 2011, opposition activists conducted the largest antiregime rallies since December 2009, spurred by the success of uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Protester turnout probably was at most tens of thousands and security forces were deployed to disperse protesters. Additional protests in March 2011 failed to elicit significant participation largely because of the robust security response, although discontent still smolders.

Geography

Location

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan

Geographic coordinates

32 00 N, 53 00 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 1,648,195 sq km
country comparison to the world: 18 land:1,531,595 sq km
water:116,600 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Alaska

Land boundaries

total: 5,440 km
border countries:Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km

Coastline

2,440 km

note – Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf
continental shelf:natural prolongation

Climate

mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast

Terrain

rugged, mountainous rim

high, central basin with deserts, mountains

small, discontinuous plains along both coasts

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point:Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur

Land use

arable land: 9.78%
permanent crops:1.29%
other:88.93% (2005)

Irrigated land

89,930 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

137.5 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 72.88cu km/yr (7%/2%/91%)
per capita:1,048cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts, floods

dust storms, sandstorms

earthquakes

Environment – current issues

air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents

deforestation

overgrazing

desertification

oil pollution in the Persian Gulf

wetland losses from drought

soil degradation (salination)

inadequate supplies of potable water

water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste

urbanization

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Geography – note

strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Iranian(s)
adjective:Iranian

Ethnic groups

Persian 61%, Azeri 16%, Kurd 10%, Lur 6%, Baloch 2%, Arab 2%, Turkmen and Turkic tribes 2%, other 1% (2008 est.)

Languages

Persian (official) 53%, Azeri Turkic and Turkic dialects 18%, Kurdish 10%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 7%, Luri 6%, Balochi 2%, Arabic 2%, other 2% (2008 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha’i) 2%

Population

77,891,220 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.1% (male 9,608,342/female 9,128,427)
15-64 years:70.9% (male 28,083,193/female 27,170,445)
65 years and over:5% (male 1,844,967/female 2,055,846) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 26.8 years
male:26.6 years
female:27.1 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.248% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

Birth rate

18.55 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Death rate

5.94 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164

Net migration rate

-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Urbanization

urban population: 71% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

TEHRAN (capital) 7.19 million

Mashhad 2.592 million

Esfahan 1.704 million

Karaj 1.531 million

Tabriz 1.459 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.91 male(s)/female
total population:1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

30 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 112

Infant mortality rate

total: 42.26 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 60 male:42.75 deaths/1,000 live births
female:41.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.06 years
country comparison to the world: 146 male:68.58 years
female:71.61 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.88 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Health expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 166

Physicians density

0.89 physicians/1,000 population (2005)
country comparison to the world: 108

Hospital bed density

1.38 beds/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 128

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 98% of population
rural: 83% of population
total: 93% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2% of population
rural: 17% of population
total: 7% of population (2000)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 86% of population
rural: 78% of population
total: 83% of population
unimproved:
urban: 14% of population
rural: 22% of population
total: 17% of population (2000)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

92,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

HIV/AIDS – deaths

6,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases:Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever and malaria
note:highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country

it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

14.2% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 41

Education expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 71

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:77%
male:83.5%
female:70.4% (2002 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years
male:13 years
female:13 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 23%
country comparison to the world: 38 male:20.2%
female:34% (2008)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran
conventional short form:Iran
local long form:Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran
local short form:Iran
former:Persia

Government type

theocratic republic

Capital

name: Tehran
geographic coordinates:35 40 N, 51 25 E
time difference:UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins fourth Tuesday in March

ends fourth Thursday in September

Administrative divisions

31 provinces (ostanha, singular – ostan)

Alborz, Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi (West Azerbaijan), Azarbayjan-e Sharqi (East Azerbaijan), Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi (South Khorasan), Khorasan-e Razavi (Razavi Khorasan), Khorasan-e Shomali (North Khorasan), Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan

Independence

1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)

notable earlier dates: ca. 625 B.C. (unification of Iran under the Medes)

ca. A.D. 1501 (Iran reunified under the Safavids)

12 December 1925 (modern Iran established under the Pahlavis)

National holiday

Republic Day, 1 April (1979)

Constitution

2-3 December 1979

revised 1989
note:the revision in 1989 expanded powers of the presidency and eliminated the prime ministership

Legal system

religious legal system based on sharia law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)
head of government:President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005)

First Vice President Mohammad Reza RAHIMI (since 13 September 2009)
cabinet:Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval

the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )note:also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts (Majles-Khebregan), a popularly elected body charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary

2) Expediency Council or the Council for the Discernment of Expediency (Majma-e-Tashkhis-e-Maslahat-e-Nezam) exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree and since 1989 has been used to advise national religious leaders on matters of national policy

in 2005 the Council’s powers were expanded to act as a supervisory body for the government

3) Council of Guardians of the Constitution or Council of Guardians or Guardians Council (Shora-ye Negban-e Qanon-e Asassi) determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law, vets candidates in popular elections for suitability, and supervises national elections
elections:Supreme Leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts

president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term and third nonconsecutive term)

election last held on 12 June 2009 (next presidential election slated for June 2013)
election results:Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD reelected president

percent of vote – Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62.6%, Mir-Hosein MUSAVI-Khamenei 33.8%, other 3.6%

voter turnout 85% (according to official figures published by the government)

Legislative branch

unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami or Majles (290 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 14 March 2008 with a runoff held on 25 April 2008 (next to be held in March 2012)
election results:percent of vote – NA

seats by party – conservatives/Islamists 167, reformers 39, independents 74, religious minorities 5, other 5

Judicial branch

The Supreme Court (Qeveh Qazaieh) and the four-member High Council of the Judiciary have a single head and overlapping responsibilities

together they supervise the enforcement of all laws and establish judicial and legal policies

lower courts include a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special administrative court

Political parties and leaders

formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties

often political parties or coalitions are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter

a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations, achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in early 2000

groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (Ruhaniyun)

the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004

following his defeat in the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party

a new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition (Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004

following the 2004 Majles elections, traditional and hardline conservatives have attempted to close ranks under the United Front of Principalists and the Broad Popular Coalition of Principalists

several reformist groups, such as the Mujahadin of the Islamic Revolution, came together as a reformist coalition in advance of the 2008 Majles elections

the IIPF has repeatedly complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates have been unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections

Political pressure groups and leaders

groups that generally support the Islamic Republic: Ansar-e Hizballah-Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh)

Followers of the Line of the Imam and the Leader

Islamic Engineers Society

Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat)

active pro-reform student group: Office of Strengthening Unity (OSU)

opposition groups: Baluchistan People’s Party (BPP)

Freedom Movement of Iran

Green Path movement [Mehdi KARUBI, Mir-Hosein MUSAVI]

Marz-e Por Gohar

National Front

and various ethnic and Monarchist organizations

armed political groups that have been repressed by the government: Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI)

Jundallah

Komala

Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO)

People’s Fedayeen

People’s Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK)

International organization participation

CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none

note – Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy

address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990

FAX [1] (202) 965-1073

Diplomatic representation from the US

none

note – the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland No. 39 Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Pasdaran Ave., Tehran, Iran

telephone [98] 21 2254 2178/2256 5273

FAX [98] 21 2258 0432

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red

the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band

ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band

green is the color of Islam and also represents growth, white symbolizes honesty and peace, red stands for bravery and martyrdom

National symbol(s)

lion

National anthem

name: “Soroud-e Melli-e Jomhouri-e Eslami-e Iran” (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran)
lyrics/music:multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI
note:adopted 1990

Economy

Economy – overview

Iran’s economy is marked by an inefficient state sector, reliance on the oil sector, which provides the majority of government revenues, and statist policies, which create major distortions throughout the system. Private sector activity is typically limited to small-scale workshops, farming, and services. Price controls, subsidies, and other rigidities weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Significant informal market activity flourishes. The legislature in late 2009 passed President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD’s bill to reduce subsidies, particularly on food and energy. The bill would phase out subsidies – which benefit Iran’s upper and middle classes the most – over three to five years and replace them with cash payments to Iran’s lower classes. However, the start of the program was delayed repeatedly throughout 2010 over fears of public reaction to higher prices. This is the most extensive economic reform since the government implemented gasoline rationing in 2007. The recovery of world oil prices in the last year increased Iran’s oil export revenue by at least $10 billion over 2009, easing some of the financial impact of the newest round of international sanctions. Although inflation has fallen substantially since the mid-2000s, Iran continues to suffer from double-digit unemployment and underemployment. Underemployment among Iran’s educated youth has convinced many to seek jobs overseas, resulting in a significant “brain drain.”

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$818.7 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20 $810.3 billion (2009 est.)
$809.8 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$357.2 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173 0.1% (2009 est.)
1% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$10,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104 $10,700 (2009 est.)
$10,800 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 10.9%
industry:41.2%
services:47.9% (2010 est.)

Labor force

25.7 million
country comparison to the world: 23 note:shortage of skilled labor (2010 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 25%
industry:31%
services:45% (June 2007)

Unemployment rate

13.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139 12.9% (2008 est.)
note:data are according to the Iranian Government

Population below poverty line

18% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%:29.6% (2005)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

44.5 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 42

Investment (gross fixed)

27.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Budget

revenues: $111.5 billion
expenditures:$89.98 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Public debt

16.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117 18.5% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201 13.5% (2009 est.)
note:official Iranian estimate

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83 12% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$50.15 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46 $48.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$166.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43 $147.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$135 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44 $121.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$86.62 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 48 $63.3 billion (31 December 2009)
$49.04 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugar cane, fruits, nuts, cotton

dairy products, wool

caviar

Industries

petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments

Industrial production growth rate

-1.1% excluding oil (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity – production

212.8 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Electricity – consumption

206.7 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18

Electricity – exports

6.15 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

2.06 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

4.252 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5

Oil – consumption

1.845 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Oil – exports

2.523 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3

Oil – imports

297,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36

Oil – proved reserves

137 billion bbl based on Iranian claims
country comparison to the world: 4 note:Iran has about 10% of world reserves (1 January 2011 est.)

Natural gas – production

138.5 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5

Natural gas – consumption

137.5 billion cu m
country comparison to the world: 4 note:excludes injection and flaring (2010 est.)

Natural gas – exports

7.87 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24

Natural gas – imports

6.9 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Natural gas – proved reserves

29.61 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

Current account balance

$15.42 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18 $17.81 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$84.92 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38 $84.72 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets

Exports – partners

China 16.2%, India 12.6%, Japan 9.9%, Turkey 6.8%, South Korea 5.7%, Italy 5.3% (2010)

Imports

$58.97 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45 $58.97 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

industrial supplies, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services

Imports – partners

China 17.4%, UAE 16.7%, Germany 7.6%, South Korea 6.3%, Russia 5.7%, Turkey 4.8%, Italy 4.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$75.06 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26 $81.31 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$14.34 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82 $13.43 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$16.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71 $15.13 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$2.075 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68 $1.825 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar -
10,308.2 (2010)
9,864.3 (2009)
9,142.8 (2008)
9,407.5 (2007)
9,227.1 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

319 (2010)
country comparison to the world:24

Airports – with paved runways

total: 133
over 3,047 m:42
2,438 to 3,047 m:27
1,524 to 2,437 m:24
914 to 1,523 m:34
under 914 m:6 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 186
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:9
914 to 1,523 m:142
under 914 m:33 (2010)

Heliports

19 (2010)

Pipelines

condensate 7 km

condensate/gas 12 km

gas 20,155 km

liquid petroleum gas 570 km

oil 7,123 km

refined products 7,937 km (2010)

Railways

total: 8,442 km
country comparison to the world: 26 broad gauge:94 km 1.676-m gauge
standard gauge:8,348 km 1.435-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways

total: 172,927 km
country comparison to the world: 28 paved:125,908 km (includes 1,429 km of expressways)
unpaved:47,019 km (2006)

Waterways

850 km (on Karun River

some navigation on Lake Urmia) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 70

Merchant marine

total: 74
country comparison to the world: 57 by type:bulk carrier 11, cargo 40, chemical tanker 5, container 9, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned:1 (UAE 1)
registered in other countries:78 (Barbados 4, Bolivia 1, Cyprus 10, Hong Kong 1, Malta 56, Panama 5, Ukraine 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Assaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e-Eman Khomeyni

Military

Military branches

Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), Khatemolanbia Air Defense Headquarters

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Resistance Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Qods Force (special operations)

Law Enforcement Forces (2011)

Military service age and obligation

19 years of age for compulsory military service

16 years of age for volunteers

17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces

15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army)

conscript military service obligation – 18 months

women exempt from military service (2008)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 23,619,215
females age 16-49:22,628,341 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 20,149,222
females age 16-49:19,417,275 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 715,111
female:677,372 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 60

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Iran protests Afghanistan’s limiting flow of dammed Helmand River tributaries during drought

Iraq’s lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf

Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the lake

Afghan and Iranian commissioners have discussed boundary monument densification and resurvey

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 914,268 (Afghanistan)

54,024 (Iraq) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Iran is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude

Iranian women are trafficked internally for the purpose of forced prostitution and for forced marriages to settle debts

Iranian and Afghan children living in Iran are trafficked internally for the purpose of forced marriages, commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude as beggars or laborers to pay debts, provide income, or support drug addiction of their families

press reports indicate that criminal organizations play a significant role in human trafficking to and from Iran, in connection with smuggling of migrants, drugs, and arms

Iranian women and children are also subjected to sex trafficking in Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom
tier rating:Tier 3 – Iran did not report any law enforcement efforts to punish trafficking offenders and continues to lack any semblance of victim protection measures

victims of trafficking are, by government policy, detained and deported if foreign, or simply jailed or turned away if Iranian

lack of access to Iran by US Government officials impedes the collection of information on the country’s human trafficking problem and the government’s efforts to curb it (2011)

Illicit drugs

despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe

suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs

lacks anti-money laundering laws

has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence