Bonyads are massive, tax-exempt charitable trusts in Iran that function as para-governmental economic conglomerates, controlling an estimated 20% of the country's GDP. Established after the 1979 revolution, they answer only to the Supreme Leader, dominating manufacturing, trade, and real estate, while often operating with limited transparency or oversight.
Beginning on 28 December 2025, demonstrations erupted across multiple cities in Iran amid nationwide unrest against the Islamic Republic government and a deepening economic crisis. This event has been the largest uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran's economy is characterized by its hydrocarbon, agricultural, and service sectors, as well as a noticeable state presence in the manufacturing and financial services. Iran ranks second in the world for natural gas reserves and fourth for proven crude oil reserves.
The United States attributes the worsening of relations to the 1979–81 Iran hostage crisis, Iran's repeated human rights abuses since the Islamic Revolution, different restrictions on using spy methods on democratic revolutions by the US, its anti-Western ideology, its nuclear program, and its funding of terrorist ...
You must have a visa to visit Iran unless you hold an Iranian passport. Check the expiry date of your visa before travelling. If you overstay your visa, you may have to stay in Iran until this is resolved and you may be detained.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and United Arab Emirates united against Iran, with support from the United States. Other Arab countries continued to have normal relations with Iran. Another aspect of tension between Iran and Arab countries has been sectarianism.
Iran and Russia are strategic allies and form an axis in the Caucasus alongside Armenia. Iran and Russia are also military allies in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq and partners in Afghanistan and post-Soviet Central Asia. The Russian Federation is also the chief supplier of arms and weaponry to Iran.
Relations with the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), especially with Saudi Arabia, are characterized by rivalry and hostility. An unresolved territorial dispute with the United Arab Emirates concerning three islands in the Persian Gulf continues to mar its relations with these states.
What is the main reason for the Iran and Israel war?
The war followed a decades-long proxy war. Iran has called for Israel's destruction, and armed Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Furthermore, Iran's nuclear program has caused international concern for over a decade and Israel considers it an existential threat.
For over a century, the Iranian people have struggled toward democracy. During the last 40 years, however, after the ousting of the Shah, the Iranian people have been subjugated by an oppressive theocracy called the “Islamic Republic,” with a religious “Supreme Leader” overseeing all aspects of Iranian life.
British government paid all its debts to the Islamic Republic of Iran. After more than four decades, the British historic debt to Iran has been repaid with accrued interest, through orchestrated efforts by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in close cooperation with other Iranian organizations.
Solo female travel in Iran is a great experience, but it requires some homework before you go. The following advice for women travelling to Iran will prepare you for your trip, whether you travel alone, with friends or with your partner.
Iran's public policies of hostility to Jews in general (but not to its own Jewish community), which have gone as far as denying the Holocaust, are obviously intended to win greater acceptance for the Shiite regime in a largely Sunni Middle East.
