National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran

2010-02-18

History

The region now called Iran was occupied by the Medes and the Persians in the 1500s B.C. , until the Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrew the Medes and became ruler of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire, which reached from the Indus to the Nile at its zenith in 525 B.C. Persia fell to Alexander in 331–330 B.C. and a succession of other rulers: the Seleucids (312–302 B.C. ), the Greek-speaking Parthians (247 B.C. – A.D. 226), the Sasanians (224–c. 640), and the Arab Muslims (in 641). By the mid-800s Persia had become an international scientific and cultural center. In the 12th century it was invaded by the Mongols. The Safavid dynasty (1501–1722), under whom the dominant religion became Shiite Islam, followed, and was then replaced by the Qajar dynasty (1794–1925).

During the Qajar dynasty, the Russians and the British fought for economic control of the area, and during World War I, Iran’s neutrality did not stop it from becoming a battlefield for Russian and British troops. A coup in 1921 brought Reza Kahn to power. In 1925, he became shah and changed his name to Reza Shah Pahlavi. He subsequently did much to modernize the country and abolished all foreign extraterritorial rights.

FEW ASPECTS ABOUT THE ISLAMIC

REPUBLIC OF IRAN

FOREIGN POLICY:

The foreign policy of Iran seriously pursued peaceful coexistence, promotion of bilateral relations and extensive regional and international cooperation. One of the achievements made by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the arena of foreign policy was the adoption of strategic decisions for defusing regional crises resulting from military attack by the United States of America in Afghanistan and Iraq. It led the occupation of those countries under the pretext of campaign against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

Iran has established constructive and interactive relations with the most countries in the world in different continents. Iran is an active member of various international and regional institutions: United Nations, Organization of Islamic Conference, Non-Align Movement, Shanghai Group, D8, Eco and ADC, among others. Iran has played a significant role in regional disputes and conflicts to create stabilization. Iran’s good office in Iraq and Afghanistan was very prominent.

Further more, Iran has developed its relations with the regional countries in Persian Gulf and Asia as well as with other countries in Africa, Europe and Latin America.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

One of the controversial matters, which some western countries have put forward to Islamic Republic of Iran is Iranian peaceful nuclear activities. Before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the US administration made a contract with Iran for delivering nuclear fuel required by Tehran nuclear reactor but its implementation was halted after the revolution.

Moreover, Iran possesses 60 tons of UF6 in Europe, which was not yet delivered. The primary fuel of the Bushehr reactor purchased by Iran from Siemens Company was confiscated for 25 years and later its export permit to Iran was cancelled.

The Islamic Republic of Iran possesses %10 of Urodif Enrichment Factory share but has not yet received even 1 gram of uranium which was pressingly required for producing radio-isotopes which are used for medical purposes.

To avoid such kind of unfair behaviors, Iran decided to be independent in nuclear peaceful activities.

NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnology is a highly multidisciplinary field referring broadly to a field of applied science and technology whose unifying theme is the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale, normally 1 to 100 nanometers, and the fabrication of devices with critical dimensions that lie with the size range.

Upon an order by the President, Iran nanotechnology initiative (INI) was established in August 2003, to promote nanotechnology. It is headed by the deputy president for science and technology affairs and consists of 6 ministers and 5 senior nanotechnology experts. The first national nanotechnology development plan, titled as “Future Strategy” was introduced in July 2005. The cabinet ministers then adopted the plan.

The strategic plan outline of the country’s action plan will assume from 2005 to 2014 to develop nanotechnology in Iran. It devises short term (two years), mid–term (five years) and long term (ten years) activities. One of the main objectives of this plan is becoming one of 15 top ranking countries in nanotechnology and persisting to improve this position in order to achieve economic development. There are more than fifty companies working in nanotechnology field In Iran. Half of these companies are in mass production stage and the rest are in the final product commercialization stages.

FREE ZONES

The significant role of free trade zones as centers of free taxation trade activities to absorb FDI along with the role of re-export regions is very important. The removal of bottlenecks in technical and industrial developments and the country is on the verge of a great economic progress. Owing to its rich oil and gas reserves, Iran is always been considered a very cost-effective market. Now with the addition of its industrial and productive capabilities various fields especially in oil, gas, petrochemicals, steel, power and also increase in its exports of manufactured goods, it will be changed into a much stronger market.

TOURISM

There are few countries in the world that four seasons exist at the same time. Tourists, who visit the southern coasts of Iran in winter, can enjoy very pleasant weather and swim; while in the distance of 45 minutes fly, at the same time some cities like Tabriz and Tehran are cold enough that one could enjoy winter sports. This climatic norm from the snowy mountains till the rainy forests and sunny deserts differs and has made an ecological beauty of Iran’s diversity of nature. Iran with rich cultural heritage and valuable and countless geographical and natural gifts, could turn into important tourism centers.

Furthermore, Iran as the cradle of civilizations has the precious treasure of cultural heritage, which remained more than 10 thousands years. Architecture, sculpture and so many different handicrafts like Iranian carpets are examples of antiquity of art in this country. The Iranian style of architecture is unique and creative. Perspolis, Passargadae and extraordinary edifices of Isfahan as well as the air traps of the central desert region are the hallmark of Iranian architecture.

Among different Iranian monuments, religious architectures are a significant part of Iran’s cultural heritage and tourism industry. This architecture during different historical eras has proved to be an effective and beautiful piece of art.

Tourism is becoming an increasingly popular way to boost economic growth in developing countries. Although Middle East countries enjoy just 2.1% of the global share of tourism industry, Iran tries to increase its potentials and capacities through identification and introduction of its numerous historical monuments, handicraft industries and eye-catching architectures.

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) is assisting Iran in embarking on a Tourism Development Master Plan, an ambitious 20-year plan in which Iran hopes to capture 1.5% of the world’s total tourist arrivals, about 20 million international tourists annually. This is not at all an unrealistic goal considering that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ranks Iran as the seventh in the world in terms of possessing historical monuments, museums, and other cultural attractions.

To foster and expedite this trend, an estimated 5 billion US$ will be put forth by the government for preservation and restoration efforts of historical monuments as well as other tourism infrastructure needs.

The Iranian people who are known for their hospitality, as well as the government, welcome every one to visit Iran.

AGRICULTURE

Iran holds first place in the world production of pistachio, saffron, dates, pomegranates, apricots and barberry. It holds the 3rd place in the world production of watermelons, cucumber, hazelnut, lemon, almonds, walnuts and raisins. Iran also holds the 5th place in the world production of green tea leaves, tangerine, melons, cantaloupes, apricots. It is the 6th place producer of grapes and apples.

WOMEN

Women in Iran have equality, respect and the right to participate in all social, political and economic activities. They live their lives productively and with dignity. Throughout the 20th century, Iranian women have organized and fought for human and political rights, from the constitutional revolution at the turn of the century to the democratic movement that overthrew the Shah of Iran. They were strong participants in the 1979 revolution.

After the victory of Islamic Revolution in Iran, the transformation of the society was in accordance with Islamic standards. Bearing in mind that in pre-revolution era, Iran was fully influenced by western cultures based on considering women as a trading commodity, it was decided to replace this imported culture with genuine Islamic Ideology in which women should be held in high esteem and all their rights be observed. In accordance with the Article 111 of Law on National Development Plan, the government shall take measures for the purpose of enhancing the role of women in the society, promoting opportunities for women and elevating their participation.

Women in Iran are active in social and political life of the country and have high profiles in the official governmental positions. Having a strong footprint in Islamic Legislative Assembly, the President’s office and different ministries are few examples. In addition, different NGOs run by women, as influential centers in Iran are widely active in different political, economic and benevolence contexts.