Changes

Iran today is 75 million people with a ''per capita'' income behind Mexico but ahead of Brazil. Female enrollment and graduation rates in higher education now outnumber males.<ref>60% of college enrollees are female, as contrasted with the Sunni Pakistan Taliban where [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head for advocating education for adolescent girls.</ref>  But if political repression during the monarchy was troublesome, Iran's human rights record and coercive measures against dissidents under its religious rulers has been abysmal.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20180721062151/https://iranhrdc.org/files.php?force&file=reports_en/Covert_Terror_Iran_s_Parallel_Intelligence_Apparatus_467957487.pdf  Covert Terror Iran's Parallel Intelligence Apparatus] (PDF)</ref>  That, and its active sponsorship of terrorism to further its foreign policy objectives abroad.  Its non-cooperation with international conventions in pursuit of nuclear power status is particularly worrisome. Iran's [[Quds Force]] (Jerusalem Force), as its name implies, carries out external special operations worldwide to further Iran's foreign policy aims.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/iran/qods.htm </ref>

Iran today is 75 million people with a ''per capita'' income behind Mexico but ahead of Brazil. Female enrollment and graduation rates in higher education now outnumber males.<ref>60% of college enrollees are female, as contrasted with the Sunni Pakistan Taliban where [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head for advocating education for adolescent girls.</ref>  But if political repression during the monarchy was troublesome, Iran's human rights record and coercive measures against dissidents under its religious rulers has been abysmal.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20180721062151/https://iranhrdc.org/files.php?force&file=reports_en/Covert_Terror_Iran_s_Parallel_Intelligence_Apparatus_467957487.pdf  Covert Terror Iran's Parallel Intelligence Apparatus] (PDF)</ref>  That, and its active sponsorship of terrorism to further its foreign policy objectives abroad.  Its non-cooperation with international conventions in pursuit of nuclear power status is particularly worrisome. Iran's [[Quds Force]] (Jerusalem Force), as its name implies, carries out external special operations worldwide to further Iran's foreign policy aims.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/iran/qods.htm </ref>

 

Iran's revolution in 1979 and the creation of an Islamic state based on [[Shariah]] law was a source of pride, inspiration and envy to [[Sunni]]s everywhere. The revolutionaries successfully deposed a Western leaning monarch and sent U.S. military personal and technicians packing.<ref>By 1970, Iran was the United States largest customer for weapons. Earnings from the oil boom after the 1953 coup were funneled into defense. Huge bases were built in the north to monitor the Soviets and along the southern coast to police the Persian Gulf. Higher paid technicians to operate the oil industry and maintain military hardware were mostly foreigners, leading to an obvious income disparity between the Shah's foreign allies and the indigenous population. This provided an opening for Soviet and Eastern bloc agitation amongst the Shi'a for revolutionary [[Marxist]] anti-[[Imperialist]] [[propaganda]] with a religious fervor. [http://ivl.8m.com/USMI.htm][http://revcom.us/a/094/iran-pt4-en.html]</ref>  Initially Iran sought to export its revolution to the  Gulf States and Lebanon.  Iran was behind two U.S. Embassy truck bombings in Beirut and the Marine barracks bombing that killed 241 U.S. soldiers.  As the Iran-Iraq war progressed, Iran concentrated its efforts to removing Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. After the war Iran began providing assistance to the radical Sunni leader Hassan al Turabi who took power in Sudan in 1989<ref>The Sudanese regime harbored Osama bin Laden and [[Ayman al-Zawahiri]] in the early 1990s</ref>, and to Hamas in Gaza. The 1990s marked a period of cooperation between Sunni groups such as al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood and the Shiite revolution of Iran.<ref>Bin Laden shared with Iran a desire to depose the House of Saud, and Zawahiri shared with Iran his contempt of the Egyptian regime which made peace with Israel.</ref> It organized and created Hezbollah al-Hejaz, based in Saudi Arabia, which in conjunction with al Qaeda staged the 1996 Khobar Towers attack killing 19 Americans and wounding another 372. The 9/11 Commission Report suggested<ref>9/11 COMMISSION REPORT at pp. 240-41. </ref> and a U.S. Federal judge ruled in December 2011<ref>http://iran911case.com/ </ref> Iran was a material accomplice with al Qaeda in the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].

Iran's revolution in 1979 and the creation of an Islamic state based on [[Shariah]] law was a source of pride, inspiration and envy to [[Sunni]]s everywhere. The revolutionaries successfully deposed a Western leaning monarch and sent U.S. military personal and technicians packing.<ref>By 1970, Iran was the United States largest customer for weapons. Earnings from the oil boom after the 1953 coup were funneled into defense. Huge bases were built in the north to monitor the Soviets and along the southern coast to police the Persian Gulf. Higher paid technicians to operate the oil industry and maintain military hardware were mostly foreigners, leading to an obvious income disparity between the Shah's foreign allies and the indigenous population. This provided an opening for Soviet and Eastern bloc agitation amongst the Shi'a for revolutionary [[Marxist]] anti-[[Imperialist]] [[propaganda]] with a religious fervor. [http://ivl.8m.com/USMI.htm][http://revcom.us/a/094/iran-pt4-en.html]</ref>  Initially Iran sought to export its revolution to the  Gulf States and Lebanon.  Iran was behind two U.S. Embassy truck bombings in Beirut and the Marine barracks bombing that killed 241 U.S. soldiers.  As the Iran-Iraq war progressed, Iran concentrated its efforts to removing Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. After the war Iran began providing assistance to the radical Sunni leader Hassan al Turabi who took power in Sudan in 1989<ref>The Sudanese regime harbored Osama bin Laden and [[Ayman al-Zawahiri]] in the early 1990s</ref>, and to Hamas in Gaza. The 1990s marked a period of cooperation between Sunni groups such as al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood and the Shiite revolution of Iran.<ref>Bin Laden shared with Iran a desire to depose the House of Saud, and Zawahiri shared with Iran his contempt of the Egyptian regime which made peace with Israel.</ref> It organized and created Hezbollah al-Hejaz, based in Saudi Arabia, which in conjunction with al Qaeda staged the 1996 Khobar Towers attack killing 19 Americans and wounding another 372. The 9/11 Commission Report suggested<ref>9/11 COMMISSION REPORT at pp. 240-41. </ref> and a U.S. Federal judge ruled in December 2011<ref>http://iran911case.com/ </ref> Iran was a material accomplice with al Qaeda in the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].

==Government==

==Government==

[[File:Iran.jpg|thumb|225px|left|[[Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini]], founder of the Islamic Republic.]]

[[File:Ali khamenei in March 2021.jpg|right|225px|thumb|[[Ali Khamenei]], second Supreme Leader for life of the Islamic Republic.]]

The December 1979 Iranian constitution defines the political, economic, and social order of the Islamic republic. The document establishes Shi'a Islam of the Twelver (Jaafari) sect as Iran's official religion. Sunni Islam, [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Judaism]] and Christianity are the only other recognized, legal minority religions. But Iran is the eighth country on the World Watch List of [[Open Doors]]. The country is governed by secular and religious leaders through governing bodies, whose duties often overlap. (See also:[[Christians in Iran]])

The December 1979 Iranian constitution defines the political, economic, and social order of the Islamic republic. The document establishes Shi'a Islam of the Twelver (Jaafari) sect as Iran's official religion. Sunni Islam, [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Judaism]] and Christianity are the only other recognized, legal minority religions. But Iran is the eighth country on the World Watch List of [[Open Doors]]. The country is governed by secular and religious leaders through governing bodies, whose duties often overlap. (See also:[[Christians in Iran]])

[[Image:Iran population density 2004.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Population density]]

[[Image:Iran population density 2004.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Population density]]

The Council of Guardians consists of 12 persons. The Supreme Leader appoints the six religious members of the Council of Guardians while the Iranian parliament, the Majles, selects the six lay members from candidates recommended by the judiciary, which is in turn selected by the Supreme Leader. The non-clerics play a role only in determining whether legislation before the [[Majles]] conforms to Iran's constitution. The religious members, on the other hand, take part in all deliberations, considering all bills for conformity to Islamic principles. The Council of Guardians can veto any law. This body also certifies the competence of candidates for the presidency, the Assembly of Experts, and the Majles.  

The Council of Guardians consists of 12 persons. The Supreme Leader appoints the six religious members of the Council of Guardians while the Iranian parliament, the Majles, selects the six lay members from candidates recommended by the judiciary, which is in turn selected by the Supreme Leader. The non-clerics play a role only in determining whether legislation before the [[Majles]] conforms to Iran's constitution. The religious members, on the other hand, take part in all deliberations, considering all bills for conformity to Islamic principles. The Council of Guardians can veto any law. This body also certifies the competence of candidates for the presidency, the Assembly of Experts, and the Majles.  

 

The president of the Islamic Republic of Iran is elected by universal suffrage to a 4-year term. The president supervises the affairs of the executive branch, appointing and supervising the Council of Ministers (members of the cabinet), coordinating government decisions, and selecting government policies to be placed before the National Assembly.  

The president of the Islamic Republic of Iran is elected by universal suffrage to a 4-year term. The president supervises the affairs of the executive branch, appointing and supervising the Council of Ministers (members of the cabinet), coordinating government decisions, and selecting government policies to be placed before the National Assembly.  

Iran has two military forces. The national military is charged with defending Iran's borders, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is charged mainly with maintaining internal and external security. Iran also uses proxy militias and foreign terrorist organizations to execute its foreign policy designs throughout the world.

Iran has two military forces. The national military is charged with defending Iran's borders, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is charged mainly with maintaining internal and external security. Iran also uses proxy militias and foreign terrorist organizations to execute its foreign policy designs throughout the world.

 

Iran has 30 provinces managed by an appointed governor general. The provinces are further divided into counties, districts, and villages. Sixty percent of eligible voters took part in the first ever municipal and local council elections in 1999, though a lower percentage went to the polls in the second round in 2003. Turnout during the December 15, 2006 elections, during which citizens also elected Assembly of Expert representatives, was over 60%. The local councils select mayors.  

Iran has 30 provinces managed by an appointed governor general. The provinces are further divided into counties, districts, and villages. Sixty percent of eligible voters took part in the first ever municipal and local council elections in 1999, though a lower percentage went to the polls in the second round in 2003. Turnout during the December 15, 2006 elections, during which citizens also elected Assembly of Expert representatives, was over 60%. The local councils select mayors.  

===The Butcher===

===The Butcher===

In June, 2021, more radical (even amongst already radicals) [[Ebrahim Raisi]], ''Butcher of Tehran'' responsible for some 30,000 deaths<ref>[https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1439984/iran-presidential-election-Ebrahim-Raisi-Hassan-Rouhani-latest Butcher' linked to 30000 deaths set to become new President of Iran], Express, UK, May 23, 2021. ''THE mastermind behind the massacre of 30000 dissidents has emerged as the regime's favourite to win next month's presidential .''</ref> was "elected" as head. Helped by the low turnout. <ref>[https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-times-view-on-ebrahim-raisi-the-butcher-of-tehran-l80cfg20r The Times view on Ebrahim Raisi: The Butcher of Tehran] The Times, June 21, 2021</ref>

In June, 2021, more radical (even amongst already radicals) [[Ebrahim Raisi]], ''Butcher of Tehran'' responsible for some 30,000 deaths<ref>[https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1439984/iran-presidential-election-Ebrahim-Raisi-Hassan-Rouhani-latest Butcher' linked to 30000 deaths set to become new President of Iran], Express, UK, May 23, 2021. ''THE mastermind behind the massacre of 30000 dissidents has emerged as the regime's favourite to win next month's presidential .''</ref> was "elected" as head. Helped by the low turnout. <ref>[https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-times-view-on-ebrahim-raisi-the-butcher-of-tehran-l80cfg20r The Times view on Ebrahim Raisi: The Butcher of Tehran] The Times, June 21, 2021</ref>

<ref>[https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/06/20/low-voter-turnout-sees-butcher-of-tehran-named-next-iranian-president/ Low voter turnout sees 'Butcher of Tehran' named next Iranian president]

<ref>[https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/06/20/low-voter-turnout-sees-butcher-of-tehran-named-next-iranian-president/ Low voter turnout sees 'Butcher of Tehran' named next Iranian president]