Iran: flag, capital, currency and history

Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Southern Asia, Asia. Its capital is Tehran. The currency is the Iranian rial. Languages spoken include Persian (Farsi).

Quick facts about Iran

Official name: Islamic Republic of Iran
Capital: Tehran
Region: Asia, Southern Asia
Currency: Iranian rial (IRR, ﷼)
Languages: Persian (Farsi)
Calling code: +98
Internet domain: .ir
Area: 1,648,195 km² (636,371 sq mi)
Land borders: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan
Demonym: Iranian

Flag of Iran

Download the flag of Iran as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇮🇷.

SVG (vector)

History of Iran

Iran was the heartland of several major empires, beginning with the Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus the Great around 550 BC. Later Persian dynasties included the Parthians and the Sasanians, whose empire fell to Arab Muslim armies in the mid-7th century. Islam became the dominant faith, and Persian language and culture continued to flourish under many dynasties. The Safavids established Twelver Shia Islam as the state religion from 1501. The Pahlavi dynasty ruled from 1925 until the 1979 revolution, after which the Islamic Republic was established. Tehran is the capital.

Key dates

c. 550 BCCyrus the Great founds the Achaemenid Empire.
224The Sasanian dynasty begins its rule in Persia.
651The last Sasanian king dies as Arab Muslim forces complete their conquest of Persia.
1501The Safavid dynasty is established under Shah Ismail I.
1925Reza Shah is crowned, beginning the Pahlavi dynasty.
1979The revolution overthrows the monarchy, and the Islamic Republic is established.
1980The Iran-Iraq War begins; it lasts until 1988.