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• Iran
  Iran

  noun

  a republic in SW Asia. About 635,000 sq. mi. (1,644,650 sq. km). Teheran.
• Iran.
  Iran.

  abbreviation

  Iranian.

Iran

¹ American  

[ih-ran, ih-rahn, ahy-ran] / ɪˈræn, ɪˈrɑn, aɪˈræn /

noun

1. a republic in SW Asia. About 635,000 sq. mi. (1,644,650 sq. km). Teheran.

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Iran. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Iranian.

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Iran British  

/ ɪˈrɑːn /

noun

1. Former name (until 1935): Persia. Official name: Islamic Republic of Iran. a republic in SW Asia, between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf: a monarchy until an Islamic revolution in 1979 headed by the Ayatollah Khomeini when the Shah was obliged to leave the country. Consists chiefly of a high central desert plateau almost completely surrounded by mountains, a semitropical fertile region along the Caspian coast, and a hot and dry area beside the Persian Gulf. Oil is the most important export. Official language: Persian (Iranian or Farsi). Official religion: Muslim majority. Currency: rial. Capital: Tehran. Pop: 79 853 900 (2013 est). Area: 1 647 050 sq km (635 932 sq miles) See also Persian Empire

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Iran Cultural  

1. Republic in the Middle East, bordered by Armenia, the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan to the north; Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east; the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to the south; and Iraq and Turkey to the west. Its capital and largest city is Teheran.

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Discover More

In 1979, Iranian militants attacked the U.S. embassy and seized hostages, including sixty-two Americans, who were held until 1981.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ruled from 1979 until his death in 1989, imposing strict Islamic law.

The United States supported the regime of the shah (king) Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who was forced by popular opposition to leave the country in 1979.

The 1990s saw some moderating elements emerge to challenge the conservative heirs to Khomeini.

The Iranian government was widely believed to have controlled the taking of U. S. hostages in Lebanon. (See Iran-Contra affair.)

Core of the ancient Persian Empire, Iran was known as Persia until 1935.

Iraq unsuccessfully invaded Iran in 1980.

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How does iran compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Iran vs. Iraq

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Iran Iran.

Gas prices in the U.S. have soared during the seven-month Iran war, with the national average for a gallon of diesel reaching $6.37 on Friday, according to AAA.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

It stopped its own airlines from flying between Dubai and Tel Aviv for several months this year amid worries about security gaps and the risks posed by the war against Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

The volume of oil flowing from the Middle East region has almost returned to pre-war levels, data shows, despite the continued restrictions Iran is placing on vessels attempting to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Average US diesel prices have surged more than 70 percent to $6.39 a gallon since the start of the Iran war, according to AAA motor club data.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

First, we moved to America on a visitor’s visa to escape Iran.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

“However, high oil prices could quickly unwind if there is a deal between the U.S. and Iran. This could also cause a recovery in bonds and a drop in yields.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026

“This is also about the fans. People come from everywhere, even from Iran. So we’re concerned about their safety.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

"I love him because he said he would help the people of Iran. I hate him because he didn't."

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!"

From Barron's ● Apr. 6, 2026

“I’ve always wanted to see Iran. But my parents don’t want to risk it.”

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram