Daylife

Iran | PLACE

 

Iran, (Persian: ايران‎ , Īrān), officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: جمهوری اسلامی ايران‎ , transliteration: Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān), and formerly known as Persia in the West, is a large Western Asian country located in the Middle East and Central Asia. Its area equals the size of the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Germany combined. Iran borders Armenia, Azerbaijan (including its Nakhichevan exclave) and Turkmenistan to the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, and Iraq and Turkey to the west. In addition, it borders the Persian Gulf, across which lie Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Shi'a Islam is the official state religion and Persian the official language.

Read the full background at Wikipedia

Photos 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) take their seats at a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) take their seats at a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks at meeting with nuclear officials while visiting the Volgodonsk nuclear power plant in Volgodonsk, some 1,000 km (600 miles) south of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Speaking at Thursday's meeting with nuclear officials in Volgodonsk, Putin said that Iran's first, Russian-built nuclear power plant is set to be launched this summer.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks at meeting with nuclear officials while visiting the Volgodonsk nuclear power plant in Volgodonsk, some 1,000 km (600 miles) south of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Speaking at Thursday's meeting with nuclear officials in Volgodonsk, Putin said that Iran's first, Russian-built nuclear power plant is set to be launched this summer.

RIA Novosti POOL 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) smile during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) smile during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) listens to a translation at a press conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) listens to a translation at a press conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) speaks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) speaks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) chat during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) chat during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) chat during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) chat during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gestures while speaking during a press conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gestures while speaking during a press conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) take their seats at a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) take their seats at a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) speaks at a press conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) speaks at a press conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, second left, visits the Volgodonsk nuclear power plant in Volgodonsk, some 1,000 km (600 miles) south of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Speaking at Thursday's meeting with nuclear officials in Volgodonsk, Putin said that Iran's first, Russian-built nuclear power plant is set to be launched this summer.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, second left, visits the Volgodonsk nuclear power plant in Volgodonsk, some 1,000 km (600 miles) south of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Speaking at Thursday's meeting with nuclear officials in Volgodonsk, Putin said that Iran's first, Russian-built nuclear power plant is set to be launched this summer.

RIA Novosti POOL 

U.S. ambassador to China Jon Huntsman listens to  questions during a dialogue with students at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. ambassador to China Jon Huntsman listens to questions during a dialogue with students at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

AP 

U.S. ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman delivers his speech to the students at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman delivers his speech to the students at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

AP 

China US Jon Huntsman listens to reporters questions during a dialogue with students at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

China US Jon Huntsman listens to reporters questions during a dialogue with students at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

AP 

Jon Huntsman, U.S. ambassador to China, gestures as he delivers his speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

Jon Huntsman, U.S. ambassador to China, gestures as he delivers his speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

AP 

U.S. ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, center, is surrounded by journalists after given his speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, center, is surrounded by journalists after given his speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

AP 

Jon Huntsman, U.S. ambassador to China, speaks at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

Jon Huntsman, U.S. ambassador to China, speaks at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

AP 

Jon Huntsman, U.S. ambassador to China, center, is surrounded by journalists after delivering his speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

Jon Huntsman, U.S. ambassador to China, center, is surrounded by journalists after delivering his speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

AP 

Jon Huntsman, U.S. ambassador to China, gestures as he deliver his speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

Jon Huntsman, U.S. ambassador to China, gestures as he deliver his speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Huntsman said Thursday bilateral disputes should not interfere with cooperation between the U.S. and China on international issues such as global warning and Iran's nuclear program.

AP 

WHISTLER, BC - MARCH 17:  Sadegh Kalhor of Iran competes  in the Men's Standing Giant Slalom during Day 6 of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics at Whistler Creekside on March 17, 2010 in Whistler, Canada.

WHISTLER, BC - MARCH 17: Sadegh Kalhor of Iran competes in the Men's Standing Giant Slalom during Day 6 of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics at Whistler Creekside on March 17, 2010 in Whistler, Canada.

Getty Images North America 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) take their seats at a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) take their seats at a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks at meeting with nuclear officials while visiting the Volgodonsk nuclear power plant in Volgodonsk, some 1,000 km (600 miles) south of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Speaking at Thursday's meeting with nuclear officials in Volgodonsk, Putin said that Iran's first, Russian-built nuclear power plant is set to be launched this summer.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks at meeting with nuclear officials while visiting the Volgodonsk nuclear power plant in Volgodonsk, some 1,000 km (600 miles) south of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Speaking at Thursday's meeting with nuclear officials in Volgodonsk, Putin said that Iran's first, Russian-built nuclear power plant is set to be launched this summer.

RIA Novosti POOL 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) smile during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) smile during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) listens to a translation at a press conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) listens to a translation at a press conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) speaks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) speaks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) during a press conference after talks in Moscow on March 18, 2010. It would be premature to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, after Russia said the facility should go online in 2010.

AFP 

Launch Gallery   of