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Iran
Iran is a republic country situated in Central Eurasia and Western Asia with an estimated population of 76.9 million as of 2010. It is the 18th largest country in the world with a total land area of 1,648,195 sq km.
3,383 Questions
How big is India compared to Iran?
India (3,287,263 km²) is 2.02 times as big as Iran (1,628,750 km²).
What did Ancient Persians live in?
persians used to be located in what now a days is the country of Iran.
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What did Persians believe fifth century BCE?
The universal faith of the Persians and surrounding tribes in Iran was Zoroastrianism. This was an essentially monotheistic religion in which Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) is the one uncreated god, existing eternally and creator of all else that is good. Spenta Mainyu was his Holy Spirit and Angra Mainyu is his evil adversary.
Mary Boyce (Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices) says that the prophet Zoroaster was the first to teach the doctrines of an individual judgement, Heaven and Hell, the future resurrection of the body, the general Last Judgement and life everlasting for the reunited soul and body.
What are reasons for and against going to war in Iran?
Assuming the question is: "What are the pro/cons for the United States to go to war with Iran now (2010)?", here are some reasons:
(note that all reasons are from the United State's viewpoint, which by its very nature, is biased. Also note that not all reasons may be sound, and/or work out as well as hoped)
Arguments for the US starting a war:
- Iran is almost certainly developing nuclear weapons. Allowing Iran to possess nuclear weapons will destabilize the Middle East, and possibly allow nuclear weapons into the hands of terrorists. Invading Iran would prevent Iran from acquiring such weapons.
- Iran is oppressing its population severely. As evidenced by the repression following the last major election, the Iranian people wish to change their government, but the armed theocratic thugs in charge refuse to relinquish power. A US invasion would topple the current government and allow the Iranian people the ability to freely choose their government.
- The current government hates the United States. An invasion which led to a change of government would almost certainly lead to one much more friendly towards US views.
- Iran contains vast oil supplies. Invading Iran (and changing its government) would likely free up most of that oil for use by the United States.
- Iran is a sponsor of terrorism. An invasion would force them to stop supporting many terrorist organizations.
- An Iranian government which did not sponsor terrorism and which was at least neutral towards US viewpoints would significantly reduce tensions in the Middle East. In particular, it would likely make solving the Israeli-Palestinian problem simpler.
Reasons against the US starting a war:
- The current US ground forces are heavily committed in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Starting a wholesale invasion of Iran would be extremely difficult without significant allied support.
- Allied military support of a US-led invasion of Iran is very unlikely. Particularly for getting additional ground forces.
- An aerial-only war would be unlikely to win, and likewise would fail to gain most, if not all, US war aims.
- A US-Iran war would certainly increase anti-US feelings in the world, likely highly increasing terrorist activities. It would also likely greatly complicate US international relations with many countries.
- Winning a ground campaign in Iran is difficult. The terrain is quite difficult, and Iranian forces are skilled at using civilian cover to limit attacks by US forces.
- The Iranian population may very well NOT appreciate being invaded, and rather than consider the United States a liberating force, see them as a conquering force, to be fought. This would lead to an extended guerrilla campaign, which would seriously harm many long-term US goals.
- Costs associated with yet another war are non-trivial, and the US government can ill-afford to pay them.
I'm sure I've missed some.
What is un's role in Iran-Iraq war?
The UN drafted the ceasefire agreement which ended the fighting. (Iranian-Iraqi relations would not resume until 2003 with the fall of the Saddam Hussein government in Iraq.)
How were the Persians able to keep and control such a large area?
By retaining local government and having Persian provincial governors to maintain control and internal and external security, and to collect modest taxes to pay for it.
Who is the best Iranian singer?
Hayedeh is the best Iranian singer. She passed away in 1990 but still most Iranians love her songs and her voice. I think the best Iranian singer alive is Homeyra.
How did Iran win the Persian Gulf War?
Iran was only involved in the First Persian Gulf War also known as the Iran-Iraq War and that war was resolved by armistice after a stalemate. Iran was not part of the Second Persian Gulf War (from 1990-1991) or the Third Persian Gulf War (from 2003-2011).
How did Islamic rule affect the Persians?
The Arab Islamic Invasion of Persia from the 600s C.E. until Persia became independent again in the 900s C.E. had a profound effect on Persia and Persian culture. Some of the myriad of changes that occurred domestically within Persia included:
Islam Replacing Zoroastrianism: Persia had previously had its own unique religion called "Zoroastrianism". Under the Parthians and Sassanids, Zoroastrianism had become the majority religion in Persia and was the religion of the rulers and aristocrats. Under Islamic Rule, Zoroastrians were persecuted, in some cases violently, but in most cases simply by repressive taxes and social sanction. In order to maintain their position in the nobility, most nobles were required to convert to Islam or face the "horrible" life of a commoner. Within three centuries, Persia had become majority-Muslim.
Arab-Persian Ethnic Conflict: For most of Persian history up to this point, the Persians had seen the Arabs as a distant nuisance on the Arabian Peninsula and scarcely paid them more heed than they would common thieves or vandals. Persia concerned itself with controlling civilized regions and settled peoples, like the Mesopotamians, the Levantines, the Anatolians, the Egyptians, and the Khorasanis. In almost all cases, when the Persians conquered these areas, they were well-respected as civilized, organized, and cultural rulers. Conversely, when the Arabs overran Persia, they destroyed Persian cultural buildings; had little regard for Persian organizational systems; understood nothing of Persian literature, history, or values; and, worst of all, asserted themselves as superior to the Persians. This set up a centuries-long rivalry between the Arabs and Persians where the former saw the latter as second-class Muslims (Mawali) since they refused to leave their old heathen language behind and embrace Arabic (in contrast to the Mesopotamians, Levantines, and Egyptians) and where the latter saw the former as uncivilized barbarians who had the audacity to trample all over 4000 years of culture and development. Neither side has really made overtures to heal the cultural rift and today, Saudi Arabia, the center of the Arab World, and Iran remain bitter enemies.
Arabic Influence in Persian: During the Arab Islamic Caliphates, the Persian language was substantially modified with numerous Arabic loanwords that led to a massive transformation of the language. Additionally, Arabic forms of poetry became popular in Persia. It would take the influence of the later giants of Persian literature like Ferdowsi, Khayyam, and Nizami to "re-Persianify" the Persian language. However, the Arabic literary stylings became integrated into a wider Persian ambit of literature and culture in the Persian tradition of taking the best from "lesser cultures".
Pax-Islamica and Persian Science: Because of the vast size of the Umayyad and Abbassid Empires, Persia benefited from an exchange of knowledge and goods with the Amazigh of North Africa and the Iberians of Spain, not to mention the Levantine populations who were physically close, but under Byzantine control previously. This allowed for a flowering of Persian science and mathematics during the wider Islamic Golden Age. In fact, many of the key figures of the Islamic Golden Age were Persians, like al-Khwarizmi, Rumi, Nasir ad-Din al-Tusi, and Ibn Sina.
What do you think the Iran president will do to Israel?
Iran's president will rail about the zionist Israel, claiming that they have no right to exist, and attempt to provoke other countries to respond. If countries do respond, it only helps his cause and helps to highlight it. This cause only serves to further nationalist sentiment, and distract from domestic issues. He is all talk and little action.
From the links below:
"Well, Ahmadinejad is a ceremonial president. He is a little bit more active, has stronger links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps than his predecessor, Mohammad Khatami, who, by the way -- the previous president of Iran -- has upbraided Ahmadinejad for his comments regarding Holocaust denial. So Ahmadinejad is -- he is not commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He can't order anybody to kill anybody. He can't launch a war. He can't launch missiles. Those powers are vested in the Supreme Jurisprudent, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ahmadinejad can, you know, cut the ribbons and open bridges and things like that. So the American right's fascination with him is entirely misplaced, and it's because he's a quirky character and he has objectionable views, and so it's easy to use him to demonize Iran." JUAN COLE
Trita Parsi is author of Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States. Our guest also, Ervand Abrahamian, Iran expert, Distinguished Professor at Baruch College. I wanted, Professor Abrahamian, to read from Juan Cole's piece, who says, talking about Ahmadinejad, "He has been depicted as a Hitler figure intent on killing Israeli Jews, even though he is not commander in chief of the Iranian armed forces, has never invaded any other country, denies he is an anti-Semite, has never called for any Israeli civilians to be killed, and allows Iran's 20,000 Jews to have representation in Parliament," that Khamenei is the one with the real power.
Iran is the country that is in danger. It is not a danger to anyone.
Who was the Persian army officer who seized the government in 1921?
Reza Khan, who became Reza Shah. He was Persian, but in the Russian Cossack Regiment.
What is Iraq's basic unit of money?
What is the importance of Timur the Lame to the ottoman safavid or mughal empires?
Timur the lame halted the expansion of the Ottoman Empire in 1402 when he crushed ottoman forces in the battle of Ankara
What is the national musical instrument of Iran?
The santur is the national musical instrument of Iran.
The santur is a Hammered dulcimer, trapezoidal-shaped with 72 strings and two sets of bridges, hit with mallets. It is of Persian origin and has strong resemblances to the Indian santoor.
Between Iran and Iraq which one is the good guy?
Where Iran and Iraq are concerned, neither is a "good guy". Both are rather problematic countries at this point. The lesser of two evils in Iraq, but that is not saying much.
What was the capital of the Safavid Empire?
According to http://www.answers.com/safavid, Isfahan was the capital
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's qaulification?
He finished hawza in Najaf and reached the status of a grand ayatullah (the highest status)
He is also an expert on the universe.
What percent of Iran is above the poverty line?
79% of the people in Iran are above the poverty line while 21% is below the poverty line.
What cause Iran to take american hostages?
I'm not an expert in this, but i know the USA had a lot of influence and control of the Shah (Leader of Iran) prior to the Iranian revolution of 1977 where the people revolted by taking hostages in the US embassy and break this American control.
This led to the rise of current Supreme leader Mohammad Ali Hoseyn Khamenei.
Will Israel preemptively attack Iran and start World War 3?
A UN nuclear watchdog report suggests Iran could be developing a nuclear bomb, apparently confirming long-held suspicions in the West. Tehran denies the claims, insisting that its atomic intentions are peaceful. Israel (and the U.S.) may be making preparations to launch a military strike to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities and set the Islamic nation's nuclear pursuits back years. The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, led by its rabidly anti-Semitic President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has denied the Holocaust and called for Israel to be "wiped off the map", is intolerable for the Jewish State. Iran's nuclear program constitutes an "existential threat" for Israel that, if not mitigated by international diplomacy, Jerusalem may try to stop with military force similar, but far larger in scope, to the 1981 air strike on Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor.
