--- title: Iran — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 5 description: Wikipedia's «Iran», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and historically known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/5/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Iran # Iran · page 5 From Wikipedia, [«Iran»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/4/) **5** [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/7/) After the [US invasion of Iraq in 2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq) and the arrival of [ISIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State) in the mid-2010s, Iran financed and trained militia groups in Iraq.[\[370\]](../../page/7/#ref-370 "note 370")[\[371\]](../../page/7/#ref-371 "note 371")[\[372\]](../../page/7/#ref-372 "note 372")[402](../../402/ "tree and pragmatics") After the Iran-Iraq war and the fall of [Saddam Hussein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddam_Hussein), Iran shaped Iraq's politics.[\[373\]](../../page/7/#ref-373 "note 373")[\[374\]](../../page/7/#ref-374 "note 374")[\[375\]](../../page/7/#ref-375 "note 375")[403](../../403/ "tree and pragmatics") Following Iraq's struggle against ISIS in 2014, companies linked to the IRGC such as [Khatam al-Anbiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khatam_al-Anbiya_Construction_Headquarters), started to build roads, power plants, hotels and businesses in Iraq, creating an economic corridor worth around $9 billion before [COVID-19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19).[\[376\]](../../page/7/#ref-376 "note 376")[404](../../404/ "tree and pragmatics") During [Yemen's civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_civil_war_%282014–present%29) Iran provided military support to the Houthis,[\[377\]](../../page/7/#ref-377 "note 377")[\[378\]](../../page/7/#ref-378 "note 378")[\[379\]](../../page/7/#ref-379 "note 379") a [Zaydi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaydism) Shia movement fighting Yemen's [Sunni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni_Islam) government since 2004,[\[380\]](../../page/7/#ref-380 "note 380")[\[381\]](../../page/7/#ref-381 "note 381") which gained [significant power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sea_crisis).[\[382\]](../../page/7/#ref-382 "note 382")[\[383\]](../../page/7/#ref-383 "note 383")[\[384\]](../../page/7/#ref-384 "note 384")[405](../../405/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran has considerable influence in Afghanistan through militant groups such as [Fatemiyoun Division](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Fatemiyoun)[\[385\]](../../page/7/#ref-385 "note 385")[\[386\]](../../page/7/#ref-386 "note 386") and [Hezbollah Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah_Afghanistan)[\[387\]](../../page/7/#ref-387 "note 387")[\[388\]](../../page/7/#ref-388 "note 388") and also in Pakistan through militant groups such as [Zainabiyoun Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liwa_Zainabiyoun)[\[389\]](../../page/7/#ref-389 "note 389") and [Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipah-e-Muhammad_Pakistan).[\[390\]](../../page/7/#ref-390 "note 390")[406](../../406/ "tree and pragmatics") In Syria, Iran supported President [Bashar al-Assad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad);[\[391\]](../../page/7/#ref-391 "note 391")[\[392\]](../../page/7/#ref-392 "note 392") the two countries were long-standing allies.[\[393\]](../../page/7/#ref-393 "note 393")[\[370\]](../../page/7/#ref-370 "note 370")[407](../../407/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran provided significant military and economic support to Assad's government,[\[394\]](../../page/7/#ref-394 "note 394")[\[395\]](../../page/7/#ref-395 "note 395") so had a considerable foothold in Syria.[\[396\]](../../page/7/#ref-396 "note 396")[\[397\]](../../page/7/#ref-397 "note 397")[408](../../408/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran has long supported organizations in [North Africa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africa) in countries like [Algeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algeria) [corpus](../../../Algeria/ "in our corpus") and [Tunisia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisia) [corpus](../../../Tunisia/ "in our corpus").[409](../../409/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran embraced [Hamas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas) in part to help undermine the popularity of the [Palestinian Liberation Organization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_Liberation_Organization) (PLO).[\[398\]](../../page/7/#ref-398 "note 398")[410](../../410/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran's support of Hamas emerged more clearly in later years.[\[399\]](../../page/7/#ref-399 "note 399")[\[400\]](../../page/7/#ref-400 "note 400")[\[401\]](../../page/7/#ref-401 "note 401")[\[402\]](../../page/7/#ref-402 "note 402")[411](../../411/ "tree and pragmatics") According to US intelligence, Iran does not have full control over these state and non-state groups.[\[403\]](../../page/7/#ref-403 "note 403")[412](../../412/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Censorship Main article: [Censorship in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Iran), [Political repression in the Islamic Republic of Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_repression_in_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran) Censorship is ranked among the most extreme worldwide.[\[404\]](../../page/7/#ref-404 "note 404")[\[405\]](../../page/7/#ref-405 "note 405")[\[406\]](../../page/7/#ref-406 "note 406")[413](../../413/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran has strict [internet censorship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_in_Iran), with the government persistently blocking social media and other sites.[\[407\]](../../page/7/#ref-407 "note 407")[\[408\]](../../page/7/#ref-408 "note 408")[\[409\]](../../page/7/#ref-409 "note 409")[414](../../414/ "tree and pragmatics") Since January 2021, authorities have blocked several social media platforms.[\[410\]](../../page/7/#ref-410 "note 410")[415](../../415/ "tree and pragmatics") The 2006 election results were widely disputed, resulting in [protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Iranian_presidential_election_protests).[\[411\]](../../page/7/#ref-411 "note 411")[\[412\]](../../page/7/#ref-412 "note 412")[\[413\]](../../page/7/#ref-413 "note 413")[\[414\]](../../page/7/#ref-414 "note 414")[416](../../416/ "tree and pragmatics") The [2017–18 Iranian protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017–18_Iranian_protests) swept across the country in response to the economic and political situation.[\[415\]](../../page/7/#ref-415 "note 415")[417](../../417/ "tree and pragmatics") It was formally confirmed that thousands of protesters were arrested.[\[416\]](../../page/7/#ref-416 "note 416")[418](../../418/ "tree and pragmatics") The [2019–20 Iranian protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019–20_Iranian_protests) started on 15 November in [Ahvaz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahvaz), and spread across the country after the government announced increases in fuel prices of up to 300%.[\[417\]](../../page/7/#ref-417 "note 417")[419](../../419/ "tree and pragmatics") A [week-long total Internet shutdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Internet_blackout_in_Iran) marked one of the most severe Internet blackouts in any country, and the bloodiest governmental crackdown of the protestors.[\[418\]](../../page/7/#ref-418 "note 418")[420](../../420/ "tree and pragmatics") Tens of thousands were arrested and hundreds were killed within a few days according to multiple international observers, including [Amnesty International](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amnesty_International).[\[419\]](../../page/7/#ref-419 "note 419")[421](../../421/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Human rights Main article: [Human rights in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Iran) The Iranian government has been denounced by various international organizations and governments for violating human rights.[\[420\]](../../page/7/#ref-420 "note 420")[422](../../422/ "tree and pragmatics") The government has frequently persecuted and arrested critics of the government.[423](../../423/ "tree and pragmatics") Iranian law does not recognise [sexual orientations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Iran).[424](../../424/ "tree and pragmatics") Sexual activity between members of the same sex is illegal and is [punishable by death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_penalty_for_homosexuality).[\[421\]](../../page/7/#ref-421 "note 421")[\[422\]](../../page/7/#ref-422 "note 422")[425](../../425/ "tree and pragmatics") [Capital punishment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment) is a legal punishment, and Iran is reported to have the highest execution rate per capita in the world.[\[423\]](../../page/7/#ref-423 "note 423")[\[424\]](../../page/7/#ref-424 "note 424")[\[425\]](../../page/7/#ref-425 "note 425")[426](../../426/ "tree and pragmatics") UN Special Rapporteur [Javaid Rehman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javaid_Rehman) has reported discrimination against several ethnic minorities in Iran.[\[426\]](../../page/7/#ref-426 "note 426")[427](../../427/ "tree and pragmatics") A group of UN experts in 2022 urged Iran to stop "systematic persecution" of religious minorities, adding that members of the [Baháʼí Faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baháʼí_Faith) were arrested, barred from universities, or had their homes demolished.[\[427\]](../../page/7/#ref-427 "note 427")[\[428\]](../../page/7/#ref-428 "note 428")[428](../../428/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2024, a UN Special Rapporteur investigation concluded that Iran committed [genocide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide) against its political and religious minorities during [1981–1982 massacres](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981–1982_Iran_Massacres) and [1988 mass executions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_executions_of_Iranian_political_prisoners).[\[429\]](../../page/7/#ref-429 "note 429")[429](../../429/ "tree and pragmatics") [Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine_International_Airlines_Flight_752) was a scheduled international civilian passenger flight from Tehran to [Kyiv](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyiv) [corpus](../../../Kyiv/ "in our corpus"), operated by [Ukraine International Airlines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine_International_Airlines).[430](../../430/ "tree and pragmatics") On 8 January 2020, the Boeing 737–800 flying the route was shot down by the IRGC shortly after takeoff, killing all 176 occupants on board and leading to [protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine_International_Airlines_Flight_752_protests).[431](../../431/ "tree and pragmatics") An international investigation led to the government admitting to the shootdown, calling it a "human error".[\[430\]](../../page/7/#ref-430 "note 430")[\[431\]](../../page/7/#ref-431 "note 431")[432](../../432/ "tree and pragmatics") Further [protests against the government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahsa_Amini_protests) began on 16 September 2022 after a woman named [Mahsa Amini died in police custody](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Mahsa_Amini) following her arrest by the [Guidance Patrol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guidance_Patrol), known commonly as the "morality police".[\[432\]](../../page/7/#ref-432 "note 432")[\[433\]](../../page/7/#ref-433 "note 433")[\[434\]](../../page/7/#ref-434 "note 434")[\[435\]](../../page/7/#ref-435 "note 435")[433](../../433/ "tree and pragmatics") Government crackdown on the protests have been described by the UN to be [crimes against humanity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimes_against_humanity).[\[436\]](../../page/7/#ref-436 "note 436")[434](../../434/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Economy Main article: [Economy of Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Iran) See also: [Subsidies in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidies_in_Iran), [Banking and insurance in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banking_and_insurance_in_Iran) as of 2024, Iran has the world's [19th largest economy by PPP-adjusted GDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29).[435](../../435/ "tree and pragmatics") It is a [mixture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_economy) of [central planning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_economy), [state ownership](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_ownership) of oil and other large enterprises, village [agriculture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Iran), and small-scale private trading and service ventures.[\[437\]](../../page/7/#ref-437 "note 437")[436](../../436/ "tree and pragmatics") Services contribute the largest percentage of GDP, followed by industry (mining and manufacturing) and agriculture.[\[438\]](../../page/7/#ref-438 "note 438")[437](../../437/ "tree and pragmatics") The economy is characterized by its hydrocarbon sector, manufacturing and financial services.[\[439\]](../../page/7/#ref-439 "note 439")[438](../../438/ "tree and pragmatics") With 10% of the world's [oil reserves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%27s_oil_reserves) and 15% of [gas reserves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%27s_Natural_Gas_Reserves), Iran is an [energy superpower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_superpower).[439](../../439/ "tree and pragmatics") Over [40 industries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_of_Iran) are directly involved in the [Tehran Stock Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran_Stock_Exchange).[440](../../440/ "tree and pragmatics") Tehran is the economic powerhouse of Iran.[\[440\]](../../page/7/#ref-440 "note 440")[441](../../441/ "tree and pragmatics") About 30% of Iran's public-sector workforce and 45% of its large industrial firms are located there, and half those firms' employees work for government.[\[441\]](../../page/7/#ref-441 "note 441")[442](../../442/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Central Bank of Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Bank_of_Iran) is responsible for developing and maintaining the currency: the [Iranian rial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_rial).[443](../../443/ "tree and pragmatics") The government does not recognise [trade unions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_trade_unions_in_Iran) other than the [Islamic labour councils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_labor_law), which are subject to the approval of employers and the security services.[\[442\]](../../page/7/#ref-442 "note 442")[444](../../444/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran was the first country to introduce a [national basic income](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_basic_income) in Autumn 2010.[\[443\]](../../page/7/#ref-443 "note 443")[445](../../445/ "tree and pragmatics") Unemployment was 9% in 2022.[\[444\]](../../page/7/#ref-444 "note 444")[446](../../446/ "tree and pragmatics") [Budget deficits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Iran#Budget) have been a chronic problem, mostly due to [large state subsidies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidies_in_Iran), that include foodstuffs and especially petrol, totaling $100 billion in 2022 for energy alone.[\[445\]](../../page/7/#ref-445 "note 445")[\[446\]](../../page/7/#ref-446 "note 446")[447](../../447/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2010, the economic reform plan was to cut subsidies gradually and replace them with targeted social assistance.[448](../../448/ "tree and pragmatics") The objective is to move towards free market prices and increase productivity and social justice.[\[447\]](../../page/7/#ref-447 "note 447")[449](../../449/ "tree and pragmatics") The administration continues reform, and indicates it will diversify the oil-reliant economy.[450](../../450/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran has developed a [biotechnology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotechnology_in_Iran), [nanotechnology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemistry_in_Iran), and [pharmaceutical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceuticals_in_Iran) industry.[\[448\]](../../page/7/#ref-448 "note 448")[451](../../451/ "tree and pragmatics") The government is [privatising industries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privatization_in_Iran).[452](../../452/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran has leading manufacturing industries in automobile manufacture, transportation, construction materials, home appliances, food and agricultural goods, armaments, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and petrochemicals in the Middle East.[\[449\]](../../page/7/#ref-449 "note 449")[453](../../453/ "tree and pragmatics") It is among the world's top five producers of [apricots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apricot), [cherries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry), [cucumbers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucumber) and [gherkins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gherkin), [dates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_palm#Description), [figs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fig), [pistachios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistachio), [quinces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quince), [walnuts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walnut), [Kiwifruit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwifruit) and [watermelons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon).[\[450\]](../../page/7/#ref-450 "note 450")[454](../../454/ "tree and pragmatics") [International sanctions against Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_sanctions_against_Iran) have damaged the economy.[\[451\]](../../page/7/#ref-451 "note 451")[455](../../455/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran is one of three countries that has not ratified the [Paris Agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement) to limit [climate change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_the_Middle_East_and_North_Africa), although academics say it would be good for the country.[\[452\]](../../page/7/#ref-452 "note 452")[456](../../456/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran suffers from high inflation[\[453\]](../../page/7/#ref-453 "note 453")[\[454\]](../../page/7/#ref-454 "note 454") and especially [surging food prices](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_inflation_in_Iran).[457](../../457/ "tree and pragmatics") A major contributing factor is the involvement of the IRGC in the economy,[\[455\]](../../page/7/#ref-455 "note 455") particularly in the agriculture and food sectors but also due to significant spending on the Axis of Resistance which increase the public deficit.[\[456\]](../../page/7/#ref-456 "note 456")[458](../../458/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Tourism Main article: [Tourism in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Iran) Tourism had been rapidly growing before the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic), reaching nearly nine million foreign visitors in 2019, the world's third fastest-growing tourism destination.[\[457\]](../../page/7/#ref-457 "note 457")[\[458\]](../../page/7/#ref-458 "note 458")[459](../../459/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2022 it expanded its share to 5% of the economy.[\[459\]](../../page/7/#ref-459 "note 459")[460](../../460/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran's tourism experienced a growth of 43% in 2023, attracting six million foreign tourists.[\[460\]](../../page/7/#ref-460 "note 460")[461](../../461/ "tree and pragmatics") The government ended visa requirements for 60 countries in 2023.[\[461\]](../../page/7/#ref-461 "note 461")[462](../../462/ "tree and pragmatics") 98% of visits are for leisure, while 2% are for business, indicating the country's appeal as a tourist destination.[\[462\]](../../page/7/#ref-462 "note 462")[463](../../463/ "tree and pragmatics") Alongside the capital, the most popular tourist destinations are [Isfahan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isfahan), [Shiraz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiraz) and [Mashhad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashhad).[\[463\]](../../page/7/#ref-463 "note 463")[464](../../464/ "tree and pragmatics") Travellers from other West Asian countries grew 31% in the first seven months of 2023.[\[464\]](../../page/7/#ref-464 "note 464")[465](../../465/ "tree and pragmatics") Domestic tourism is one of the world's largest; Iranian tourists spent $33 billion in 2021.[\[465\]](../../page/7/#ref-465 "note 465")[\[466\]](../../page/7/#ref-466 "note 466")[\[467\]](../../page/7/#ref-467 "note 467")[466](../../466/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran projects investment of $32 billion in the tourism sector by 2026.[\[468\]](../../page/7/#ref-468 "note 468")[467](../../467/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Agriculture and fishery Main article: [Agriculture in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Iran) Roughly one-third of Iran's surface area is suitable for farmland.[468](../../468/ "tree and pragmatics") Only 12% of the total land area is under cultivation, and less than one-third of the cultivated area is irrigated.[469](../../469/ "tree and pragmatics") The rest is devoted to [dryland farming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryland_farming).[470](../../470/ "tree and pragmatics") Some 92% of agricultural products depend on water.[\[469\]](../../page/7/#ref-469 "note 469")[471](../../471/ "tree and pragmatics") The western and northwestern portions of the country have the most fertile soils.[472](../../472/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran's [food security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_security) index stands at around 96 percent.[\[470\]](../../page/7/#ref-470 "note 470")[\[471\]](../../page/7/#ref-471 "note 471")[473](../../473/ "tree and pragmatics") 3% of Iran's land area is used for grazing and fodder production.[474](../../474/ "tree and pragmatics") Most of the grazing is done on mostly semi-dry rangeland in mountain areas and on areas surrounding the large deserts of central Iran.[475](../../475/ "tree and pragmatics") Progressive government efforts and incentives during the 1990s improved agricultural productivity, helping Iran toward its goal of reestablishing national self-sufficiency in food production.[476](../../476/ "tree and pragmatics") Access to the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and many river basins provides the potential to develop excellent fisheries.[477](../../477/ "tree and pragmatics") The government assumed control of commercial fishing in 1952.[478](../../478/ "tree and pragmatics") Expansion of the fishery infrastructure enabled Iran to harvest an estimated 700,000 tons of fish annually from the southern waters.[479](../../479/ "tree and pragmatics") Since the revolution, increased attention has been focused on producing fish from inland waters.[480](../../480/ "tree and pragmatics") Between 1976 and 2004, the combined take from inland waters by the state and private sectors increased from 1,100 tons to 110,175 tons.[\[472\]](../../page/7/#ref-472 "note 472")[481](../../481/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran is the world's largest producer and exporter of [caviar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caviar), exporting more than 300 tonnes annually.[\[473\]](../../page/7/#ref-473 "note 473")[\[474\]](../../page/7/#ref-474 "note 474")[482](../../482/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Industry and services Main article: [Industry of Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_of_Iran) In 2024, Iran was ranked 16th in global car manufacturing, ahead of the [UK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom) [corpus](../../../United_Kingdom/ "in our corpus"), [Italy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy) [corpus](../../../Italy/ "in our corpus"), and Russia.[\[475\]](../../page/7/#ref-475 "note 475")[\[476\]](../../page/7/#ref-476 "note 476")[483](../../483/ "tree and pragmatics") It built 1.188 million cars in 2023, a 12% growth compared to the previous years.[484](../../484/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran exports cars to countries such as Venezuela, Russia and Belarus.[485](../../485/ "tree and pragmatics") From 2008 to 2009, Iran leaped to 28th place from 69th in annual industrial production growth rate.[\[477\]](../../page/7/#ref-477 "note 477")[486](../../486/ "tree and pragmatics") Iranian [contractors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_contractor) have been awarded several foreign tender contracts in different fields of construction of [dams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reservoirs_and_dams_in_Iran), [bridges, roads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Iran), [buildings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_in_Iran), [railroads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Railways), [power generation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Iran), and [gas, oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Iranian_Oil_Company) and [petrochemical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Iranian_Petrochemical_Company) industries.[487](../../487/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2011, some 66 Iranian industrial companies were carrying out projects in 27 countries.[\[478\]](../../page/7/#ref-478 "note 478")[488](../../488/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran exported over $20 billion worth of technical and engineering services over 2001–2011.[489](../../489/ "tree and pragmatics") The availability of local raw materials, [rich mineral reserves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Iran), experienced manpower have all played crucial role in winning the bids.[\[479\]](../../page/7/#ref-479 "note 479")[490](../../490/ "tree and pragmatics") 45% of large industrial firms are located in Tehran, and almost half of their workers work for government.[\[480\]](../../page/7/#ref-480 "note 480")[491](../../491/ "tree and pragmatics") The Iranian retail industry is largely in the hands of cooperatives, many of them government-sponsored, and of independent retailers in the [bazaars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bazaar).[492](../../492/ "tree and pragmatics") The bulk of food sales occur at street markets, where the Chief Statistics Bureau sets the prices.[\[481\]](../../page/7/#ref-481 "note 481")[493](../../493/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran's automotive industry is the second most active industry of Iran, after its oil and gas industry.[494](../../494/ "tree and pragmatics") [ITMCO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Tractor_Manufacturing_Company) is the biggest tractor manufacturer in the Middle East.[495](../../495/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran is the [12th largest automaker in the world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_motor_vehicle_production).[496](../../496/ "tree and pragmatics") Construction is one of the most important sectors in Iran.[497](../../497/ "tree and pragmatics") The annual [turnover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenue) in the construction industry amounts to US$38.4 billion.[\[482\]](../../page/7/#ref-482 "note 482")[498](../../498/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Central Bank of Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Bank_of_Iran) indicates that 70 percent of the Iranians own homes, with huge amounts of idle money entering the housing market.[\[483\]](../../page/7/#ref-483 "note 483")[\[484\]](../../page/7/#ref-484 "note 484")[499](../../499/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran is ranked among 15 major mineral-rich countries.[\[485\]](../../page/7/#ref-485 "note 485")[\[486\]](../../page/7/#ref-486 "note 486")[500](../../500/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran has become self-sufficient in designing, building and operating dams and power plants.[501](../../501/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran is one of the six countries in the world that manufacture gas- and steam-powered turbines.[\[487\]](../../page/7/#ref-487 "note 487")[502](../../502/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Energy Main article: [Energy in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_Iran) See also: [Petroleum industry in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_industry_in_Iran) Iran is an [energy superpower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_superpower), and petroleum plays a key part.[\[488\]](../../page/7/#ref-488 "note 488")[\[489\]](../../page/7/#ref-489 "note 489") as of 2023, Iran produced 4% of the world's [crude oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crude_oil) (3.6 Moilbbl per day),[\[490\]](../../page/7/#ref-490 "note 490") which generates US$36bn[\[491\]](../../page/7/#ref-491 "note 491") of export revenue and is the main source of [foreign currency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_reserves).[\[492\]](../../page/7/#ref-492 "note 492")[503](../../503/ "tree and pragmatics") Oil and gas reserves are estimated at 1.2 trn barrels;[\[493\]](../../page/7/#ref-493 "note 493") Iran holds 10% of world [oil reserves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_proven_oil_reserves) and 15% for gas.[504](../../504/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran ranks 3rd in oil reserves[\[494\]](../../page/7/#ref-494 "note 494") and is [OPEC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OPEC)'s 2nd largest exporter.[505](../../505/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran has the 2nd largest [gas reserves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gas_in_Iran),[\[495\]](../../page/7/#ref-495 "note 495") and [3rd largest natural gas production](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_natural_gas_production).[506](../../506/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2019, Iran discovered a southern oil field of 50 bn barrels.[\[496\]](../../page/7/#ref-496 "note 496")[\[497\]](../../page/7/#ref-497 "note 497")[\[498\]](../../page/7/#ref-498 "note 498")[\[499\]](../../page/7/#ref-499 "note 499")[507](../../507/ "tree and pragmatics") In April 2024, the [NIOC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Iranian_Oil_Company) discovered 10 giant shale oil deposits, totaling 2.6 billion barrels.[\[500\]](../../page/7/#ref-500 "note 500")[\[501\]](../../page/7/#ref-501 "note 501")[\[502\]](../../page/7/#ref-502 "note 502")[508](../../508/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran manufactures 60–70% of its industrial equipment domestically, including turbines, pumps, catalysts, [refineries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_refinery), [oil tankers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_tanker), [drilling rigs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drilling_rig), [offshore platforms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_platform), towers, pipes, and exploration instruments.[\[503\]](../../page/7/#ref-503 "note 503")[509](../../509/ "tree and pragmatics") The addition of new [hydroelectric](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricity) stations and streamlining of conventional coal and oil-fired stations increased installed capacity to 33 GW; about 75% was based on natural gas, 18% on oil, and 7% on hydroelectric power.[510](../../510/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2004, Iran opened its first wind-powered and geothermal plants, and the first [solar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power) thermal plant began in 2009.[511](../../511/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran is the world's third country to develop [GTL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_to_liquids) technology.[\[504\]](../../page/7/#ref-504 "note 504")[512](../../512/ "tree and pragmatics") [Demographic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Iran) trends and intensified industrialization have caused electric power demand to grow by 8% per year.[513](../../513/ "tree and pragmatics") The government's goal of 53 GW of installed capacity by 2010 is to be reached by bringing on line [new gas-fired plants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Iran), and adding hydropower and nuclear generation capacity.[514](../../514/ "tree and pragmatics") [Iran's first nuclear power plant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushehr_Nuclear_Power_Plant) went online in 2011.[\[505\]](../../page/7/#ref-505 "note 505")[\[506\]](../../page/7/#ref-506 "note 506")[515](../../515/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite being an energy superpower, as of 2024, [Iran suffers from an energy crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_energy_crisis), manifested by many power outages.[\[507\]](../../page/7/#ref-507 "note 507")[\[508\]](../../page/7/#ref-508 "note 508")[516](../../516/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Science and technology Main article: [Science and technology in Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_technology_in_Iran) Iran has made considerable advances in science and technology, despite international sanctions.[517](../../517/ "tree and pragmatics") In the biomedical sciences, the [Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Biochemistry_and_Biophysics) has a [UNESCO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO) chair in biology.[\[509\]](../../page/7/#ref-509 "note 509")[518](../../518/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2006, [Iranian scientists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_contemporary_Iranian_scientists,_scholars,_and_engineers) successfully [cloned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloning) a sheep at the Royan Research Centre in Tehran.[\[510\]](../../page/7/#ref-510 "note 510")[519](../../519/ "tree and pragmatics") [Stem cell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell) research is among the top 10 in the world.[\[511\]](../../page/7/#ref-511 "note 511")[520](../../520/ "tree and pragmatics") Iran ranks 15th in the world in [nanotechnologies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology).[\[512\]](../../page/7/#ref-512 "note 512")[\[513\]](../../page/7/#ref-513 "note 513")[\[514\]](../../page/7/#ref-514 "note 514")[521](../../521/ "tree and pragmatics") Iranian scientists outside Iran have made major scientific contributions.[522](../../522/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1960, [Ali Javan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Javan) co-invented the first [gas laser](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_laser), and [fuzzy set](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_set) theory was introduced by [Lotfi A. Zadeh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotfi_A._Zadeh).[\[515\]](../../page/7/#ref-515 "note 515")[523](../../523/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/4/) **5** [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/7/) - ← previous: [page 4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/4/) - next →: [page 6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iran/page/6/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)