ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Iran. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Iran. Iran's internal split was evident in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. The struggle between reformists and hardliners has spilled over into Iran's economic and foreign policy. Iranian Kurds have been strong supporters of President Khatami, who has devolved power over the region's budget and police to its governor. The government rejected the resignations. Iranian parliamentary deputies and international rights groups condemned what they called the unjust conditions of the suspects' detention and trial. The detainees were held in undisclosed locations, and some were allegedly tortured.
