Iran, officially known as the Islamic Republic Of Iran, is a country located in the Middle East, bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
It has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, home to several powerful empires including the Persian Empire which was one of the largest and most influential in the world.
Iranian culture is deeply rooted in Persian traditions, including literature, poetry, music, art, and architecture. The region is renowned for its contributions to science, mathematics, philosophy, and medicine.
Iran is predominantly Muslim, with Shia Islam being the dominant branch.
It is a theocratic republic with a complex political system. The Supreme Leader holds the highest authority in the country, overseeing the military, judiciary, and other key institutions. The president, elected by popular vote, serves as the head of government.
The West has painted Iran as an enemy ever since the revolution.
The regime change in Tehran in 1979 deprived the US of one of its leading strategic assets in the region.
Marco Carnelos, Middle East Eye
One of the primary reasons for the revolution was the desire of many Iranians to break free from Western influence. The shah of Iran, Mohammad Pahlavi, had been a close ally of the United States and he had implemented a number of Western-style reforms in Iran. The reforms included the secularisation of education and the economy.
However, the reforms were unpopular with many Iranians, who saw them as a threat to their Islamic identity and culture. They also resented the shah’s close ties to the United States, which they saw as a sign of Iran’s subservience to the West.
The Iranian Revolution was a revolt against the shah and his Western-style reforms.
It was also a rejection of Western dominance in the Middle East.
As a result, many myths about Iran have been pushed by Western intelligence.
- Iran is a totalitarian state in which people have no freedom.
- Iran is a sponsor of terrorism.
- Iran has nuclear weapons.
These myths are often used to justify the West’s continued hostility (such as sanctions and military action) towards Iran.
Setareh Sadeqi is an Iranian independent journalist. Check out her hilarious trolling of Instagram’s algorithm.
I recommend watching Setareh’s interview with my South African friend who frequently visits Iran.
