IRAN

Several issues have contributed to violent conflict in Iran, including the nature of the Iranian government itself. In 1979 Shiite Muslims overthrew the government and established a theocracy. By the early years of the twenty-first century, Iran was still governed by Muslim fundamentalists, but many Iranians, especially younger people, desired a more moderate form ofgovernment. This desire could lead to internal conflict. Another possible source of conflict is Iran's relationship with the United States. In 1980 the United States broke off diplomatic relations with Iran and instituted economic sanctions. Muslim fundamentalists believe that Western culture should be kept out of Iran, while the United States has accused Iran of supporting terrorist activity around the world. A final possible source of conflict is Iran's relationships with other Middle Eastern countries. Iran has supported opposition to the Taliban, a Muslim fundamentalist student group that sought to gain control in Afghanistan after 1994. Iran has also had difficulties with Iraq. After an eight-year war during the 1980's, the two countries remained bitter enemies. Despite their differences, both governments are resentful of the United States, and either further conflict or an alliance between them could lead to a crisis for the United States.

An ancient country located in the Middle East, Iran covers 636,293 square miles—about one-fifth the area of the United States. In 1997 its population was about 66.6 million, not counting about two million refugees from Afghanistan. Iran is bordered on the north by Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, and Turkmenistan; on the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; on the south by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf; and on the west by Iraq and Turkey.