Summary
This document provides selected news and information about Iran as of 2024. Some information from the Iran Report 2023 and Iran Report 2022 documents are included again this year for context. Some cultural videos are included with the news entries below.
History
The prehistory of Iran is considered to be from about 18,000 BC to 11,000 BC, of which numerous archeological remnants provide insights into civilization at that time in the region. The National Museum of Iran has preserved items that date back to the prehistoric period. [Source: Wikipedia]
Thus, Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, beginning with the formation of the Elamite kingdoms in the fourth millennium BC.
Iran has 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the third-highest in Asia after China and India. Of these 24 sites, 22 are cultural sites and the remaining two are natural.
So, it is reasonable to conclude that the entirety of Iran and that region of the world are of valuable to all humanity due to the historic significance of the area.
Iranian People
Millions of people from Iran have settled in countries around the world, with the greatest number living in the Americas. [Source] They are working as doctors, engineers, business owners, and serving communities in other ways. [Source]
Iranian Religions
While Iran is known as a Muslim majority country, Iranians represent many faith communities including Shia Islam, Sunni Islam, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Baháʼí, and Judaism. [Source]
Current Conflict
As with many countries in the world, a small number of political or military leaders can eclipse world’s perception of an entire nation. There is currently tension in the Middle East and Iran is considered to be involved. Thus, the focus of current news is on the present military conflict. This creates a myopic view of Iran and Iranians that overlooks about 10,000 years of history and millions of Iranians past and present who have nothing to do with the current conflict.
News
Below are some current news stories about Iran. They are listed in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Additional content will be added as relevant developments are in the news.
Reza Pahlavi (7 Oct 2024)
“A message to the friends of the Iranian people across the Middle East” — The Middle East, the cradle of civilization, is rich with stories of great kings, prophets, and philosophers. From Cyrus to Moses to Ibn Khaldoun, our nations have given the world some of its greatest visionaries. Leaders like Anwar Sadat, King Hussein, Menachem Begin, King Faisal, and my father, too, took up the mantle of seeking peace for our peoples. But for 45 years, too many of us have been forced to live in fear. Fear of the next terrorist attack. Fear of war. Fear of economic instability. Fear of nuclear blackmail. That’s because 45 years ago my country was taken hostage by a radical regime that seeks, not only to keep my people in chains, but to export its revolution to your countries and your people. [Source]
Al Jazeera (28 Aug 2024)
“Iran economy: Civilians bear the brunt of Western sanctions” — Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, says he open to renewed negotiations with the West. International sanctions imposed by the US and its allies are aimed at Iran’s nuclear program. But, it’s often civilians who end up suffering the most. [Source]
CBN News (14 Aug 2024)
Evangelical Christians have an interest in Iran due to what they perceived to be a Christian revival in the land. The report below is from a religious group called CBN.
“Iran’s Jesus Revolution? Mosques Close as 1 Million Muslims Accept Christ” — Amid talk of a broader war in the Middle East, there is also news that a Jesus Revolution may be underway. An unprecedented number of Muslims are choosing to follow Christ, especially in Iran as people search for a better life. Iranians are growing tired of the ayatollahs and a nation led by the empty promises of their Islamic theocracy. An anonymous internal poll found that 80% now prefer a democratic government, and many are leaving Islam. [Source]
Al Jazeera (11 Aug 2024 at ~1545)
“Iranian president names moderate and female ministers as he unveils cabinet” — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated a moderate diplomat as foreign minister and a female official as urban development minister as he presented his new cabinet. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced on Sunday the names of the 19-member cabinet presented by the president during an assembly session broadcast live on state television. The nominations appear in line with the hopes that the election of Pezeshkian last month, to replace the hardline Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May, could lead to a thaw in Iran’s relations with the West. However, the parliament, which is dominated by hardliners, will begin a review of the nominees starting on Monday, and then vote on whether or not to confirm the lineup. For the foreign minister, Pezeshkian picked Abbas Araghchi, a 61-year-old career diplomat. Araghchi, who has extolled open, yet critical, talks with the West, served as the chief negotiator in nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers from 2013 to 2021. He also served as Iran’s ambassador to Japan and Finland, and as a deputy of then-Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was instrumental in reaching the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. [Source]
CBS (30 Jul 2024 at 1511)
“Threat of wider Middle East conflict after Haniyeh killing in Iran” — There are fears of wider conflict in the Middle East after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Iran for the inauguration of the country’s new president, was killed in Tehran. Merissa Khurma, the Middle East Program director at the Wilson Center, joins CBS News with her analysis. [Source]
Deutsche Welle (30 Jul 2024 at 0913)
“What is Iran’s role in stoking tensions between Israel and Lebanon?” — Iran’s president-elect has met with the deputy leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in Tehran. Masoud Pezeshkian is taking office at a time of soaring tensions in the Middle East. Israel blames Hezbollah for a rocket strike that killed twelve children in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights over the weekend. Hezbollah’s chief ally is Iran – which the US and Israel say is fuelling conflict in the region. [Source]
Al Jazeera (28 Jul 2024)
“Iran’s new president: Masoud Pezeshkian outlines priorities” — Iran has inaugurated a new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in a ceremony at the Office of the Supreme Leader, where he received his appointment decree from Ayatollah Khamenei. Pezeshkian emphasized unity and development in his address. The ceremony highlighted the Supreme Leader’s role in confirming the president’s election. The event was attended by senior officials and foreign diplomats. The late President Raisi’s death led to an early election. Pezeshkian, a reformist, faces challenges in fulfilling promises while dealing with a conservative parliament and the Supreme Leader’s authority over key policies. [Source]
CBN (28 Jul 2024)
Some evangelical Christians in the United States believe there is a Christian revival in Iran. The report below is an example.
“A Jesus Revolution in Iran?” — 50,000 of 75,000 mosques have closed in the Islamic State. Is Jesus more popular than the Ayatollah? More than a million Muslims have come to Christ. Don Shenk of The Tide Ministry says, “What is happening there is actually representative of what is happening in the Islamic world.” [Source]
Culture and Gardens (4 May 2024)
The video below was produced by the Luxury Living channel on YouTube.
“The Secrets behind the Gardens in Iran” — The Iranian desert. A high plateau, surrounded by mountain peaks. Dry and barren. Yet for thousands of years a sophisticated irrigation technology has defied the desert here and made it possible for world famous gardens to flourish. They are the example and the pattern for the garden culture of the Islamic World. We would like to trace their origins in the desert and set out on a journey through the hot steppes to these refreshingly green oases. [Source]
BBC (28 Mar 2024)
“Five reasons why Iran is involved in so many global conflicts” — Iran is one country that always seems to be mentioned when it comes to ongoing deadly conflicts around the world, as well as the new flashpoints in the Middle East. [Source]
VICE News (23 Dec 2023)
“Inside Iran: What Happened to Iran’s Women-led Uprising?” — VICE News gains exclusive access inside Iran, to find out what’s happened in the country since Mahsa Amini’s death. Since Iranian women led a nationwide uprising, Iran’s security forces have cracked down with brute force. Isobel Yeung meets those brave enough to speak out and meets the authorities in charge. [Source]
Persian Art (5 Mar 2023)
“A Brief History of the Art of Persia” — Persia, now Iran, is one of the oldest nations in the world with a rich and diverse artistic heritage that spans over 5,000 years. [Source]
Deutsche Welle (17 Sep 2022)
“Iran from above – In the mountains” — Iran’s mountainous terrain has always been an important part of people’s lives. Years ago, these mountains were populated by legendary horsemen. Today, they are the subject of scientific investigation. This film provides the viewer with stunning arial views of these mountains. It unfurls the rich tapestry of Iran’s history, from the legendary Order of the Assassins to the Mongol invasions. We also get to know Iran by meeting some of the fascinating people who live there. Take Ali, a world champion of mounted archery. Despite its waning popularity, the sport has endured in Iran due the importance of horses throughout Iranian history. We get to explore the historic Tabiz bazaar, which is still a bustling market and kaleidoscope of cultures today. There, we meet Dschebrael, a stall owner who speaks Azeri, the official language of Azerbaijan. In fact, Azeri can be heard throughout the market, which serves as a meeting place for Iran’s many ethnic groups, and thus as a microcosm of the country’s cultural diversity. The film introduces us to beekeepers and violinmakers, as well as young people living in Iran who want to travel and express themselves freely on social media — even though it is forbidden. [Source]
Persian Garden (24 Jan 2020)
“TEHRAN 2021 – Walking in Persian Garden (Bagh-e Irani) تهران، باغ ایرانی” — From Bahador Hadizadeh. In this video, I have walked in one of the beautiful Parks of Tehran, in Vanak Village (Deh Vanak). [Source]
Our Daily Bread (24 Jan 2020)
“Iran in the Bible: The Forgotten Story” — For centuries Iran was known as Persia–the greatest empire the world had ever seen. But part of her story is often forgotten. [Source]
Deutsche Welle (12 May 2017)
“Traveling Iran by train” — Iran is opening its doors to foreigners and a train ride from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea is a great way to get to know the country and its people. The travel restrictions that are now being lifted were in place for decades. Many Iranians are hoping they will now be able to lead a freer life – and we meet many of these hospitable and welcoming people on our journey through the Middle Eastern nation. The country’s most important rail link, the Trans-Iranian Railway, runs for approximately 1400 kilometers from the Persian Gulf via Teheran to the Caspian Sea. The journey starts in Khorramshahr on the Shatt al-Arab, the river border between Iraq and Iran. Traveling past oil fields, the train reaches Shushtar. One of the top sights here is the historic hydraulic system, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, the train heads up into the Zagros Mountains. The journey is interrupted by a break for prayer. Breath-taking landscapes move past the train window until we reach the highest point not only of our journey but of the entire rail network: 2,200 meters above sea level between Dorud and Arak. During a brief stop in Qom, travelers can refuel with sohan, a pastry made of wheat germ, flour and sugar. The next section of the track is high-speed and we continue on to Teheran at 160 km/h. The metropolitan area is home to more than 15 million people. The last leg takes us to the north of the country. In the Alborz Mountains, we find out what role the Trans-Iranian Railway played during Stalin’s major offensive against the German army in World War II. Our oriental rail adventure ends in Bandar-e Torkaman on the Caspian Sea. [Source]