In recent times, Iran has begun to dominate western concerns in the Middle East. From the abuse of human rights to an alleged nuclear armament program, Iran has certainly established itself as a force in international politics and a burden for western powers.

            Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has been an empire for thousands of years. Until 1935, it was known as Persia.

            Mahmud Ahmadinejad is now the president of the country, but the supreme leader of the government is the Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei. Iran is theocratic republic, and the majority of its citizens are Shi’a Muslims, as is the government. The President of Iran is technically, as labeled by the constitution, the second in command of the government, but Ahmadinejad and his predecessors have still had to answer to the Council of Guardians. The Council is a group of jurors selected by the Ayatollah to interpret the constitution and approve of elected officials. In essence, there is a system of checks and balances somewhat like the one in the United States.

            The legislature is a unicameral body composed of 290 members. There is also a body called the Assembly of Experts comprised of Islamic scholars whose sole responsibility is to appoint and oversee the Ayatollah. As one can see, the government is composed so that no branch can exert complete control.

            The economy of Iran relies heavily on profits from oil. Iran is one of the founding members of OPEC. Oil revenues are the main sustaining factor for the government. With oil prices dropping, the Iranian government has had to prepare a new budget that figures in a lower amount of money. Inflation has increased to twenty-six percent overall and there is a high underemployment rate for Iran’s educated. This has caused a “brain drain” in the country.

            For some time, Iran has pursued a nuclear enrichment program that has caused concern throughout the world. Although the government maintains that it is developing nuclear energy program only, many states believe that the country is developing nuclear weapons. Five resolutions have been passed by the UN Security Council calling for an end to Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, and the government has also been sanctioned, but the Iranians refuse to put a halt to their program. Iran holds diplomatic ties with all the countries in the UN except for the United States and Israel.

            Iran does not recognize Israel as a country and Ahmadinejad has, recently, publicly questioned the existence of the holocaust. Iran has also been accused of supporting terrorist, particularly the Lebanese organization Hezbollah. UN and US sanctions are also in effect upon several Iranian entities because of their support for terrorism.

            The United States has not held diplomatic talks with Iran since the Revolution in 1979, and although President Obama has “extended his hand” no talks are currently expected. Ahmadinejad has increasingly isolated his country from the west and has angered many throughout the world.