Iran, in Western Asia, is a Persian heartland of ancient empires, with Tehran’s bustling sprawl as its capital, shadowed by the Alborz Mountains. Famous for rugs, saffron, and poets like Rumi, it blends Shia Islam with a revolutionary past since 1979, shaping its theocratic rule. Oil and gas drive its economy, despite sanctions, while sites like Persepolis draw history buffs. Iran’s rich culture contrasts with its geopolitical isolation.