Iran vs. Israel
Introduction
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts (AOE) - a popularly elected 88-member body of clerics. US-Iranian relations became strained when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held embassy personnel hostages until mid-January 1981. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980. During the period 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism and was subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and concerns over possible military dimensions of its nuclear program until Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Implementation Day in 2016. The US began gradually re-imposing sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from JCPOA in May 2018. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, supported by the Supreme Leader, unelected institutions of authority like the Council of Guardians, and the security services reversed and blocked reform measures while increasing security repression. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud, but the protests were quickly suppressed. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically based protests in July and October 2012, but Iran's internal security situation remained stable. President AHMADI-NEJAD's independent streak angered regime establishment figures, including the Supreme Leader, leading to conservative opposition to his agenda for the last year of his presidency, and an alienation of his political supporters. In June 2013 Iranians elected a centrist cleric Dr. Hasan Fereidun ROHANI to the presidency. He is a longtime senior member in the regime, but has made promises of reforming society and Iran's foreign policy. The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA obligations and responsibilities, and in July 2015 Iran and the five permanent members, plus Germany (P5+1) signed the JCPOA under which Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran held elections in 2016 for the AOE and Majles, resulting in a conservative-controlled AOE and a Majles that many Iranians perceive as more supportive of the ROHANI administration than the previous, conservative-dominated body. ROHANI was reelected president in May 2017. Economic concerns once again led to nationwide protests in December 2017 and January 2018 but they were contained by Iran's security services. Additional widespread economic protests broke out in November 2019 in response to the raised price of subsidized gasoline. | Israel has emerged as a regional economic and military powerhouse, leveraging its booming high-tech sector, massive defense industry, and concerns about Iran to foster partnerships around the world, even with some of its former foes. The State of Israel was declared in 1948, after Britain withdrew from its mandate of Palestine. The UN proposed partitioning the area into Arab and Jewish states, and Arab armies that rejected the UN plan were defeated. Israel was admitted as a member of the UN in 1949 and saw rapid population growth, primarily due to migration from Europe and the Middle East, over the following years. Israel fought wars against its Arab neighbors in 1967 and 1973, followed by peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Israel took control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 war, and subsequently administered those territories through military authorities. Israel and Palestinian officials signed a number of interim agreements in the 1990s that created an interim period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. While the most recent formal efforts to negotiate final status issues occurred in 2013-2014, the US continues its efforts to advance peace. Immigration to Israel continues, with more than20,000 new immigrants, mostly Jewish, in 2020. The Israeli economy has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last 25 years, led by cutting-edge, high-tech sectors. Offshore gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, most notably in the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields, place Israel at the center of a potential regional natural gas market. However, longer-term structural issues such as low labor force participation among minority populations, low workforce productivity, high costs for housing and consumer staples, and a lack of competition, remain a concern for many Israelis and an important consideration for Israeli politicians. Former Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU dominated Israel's political landscape from 2009 to June 2021, becoming Israel's longest serving prime minister before he was unseated by Naftali BENNETT, after Israel's fourth election in two years. BENNETT formed the most ideologically diverse coalition in Israel's history, including the participation of an Arab-Israeli party. Under the terms of the coalition agreement, BENNETT would remain as prime minister until August 2023, then Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair LAPID would succeed him. Israel signed normalization agreements - brokered by the US - with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco in late 2020 and with Sudan in early 2021. |
Geography
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan | Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon |
| Geographic coordinates | 32 00 N, 53 00 E | 31 30 N, 34 45 E |
| Map references | Middle East | Middle East |
| Area | total: 1,648,195 sq km land: 1,531,595 sq km water: 116,600 sq km | total: 21,937 sq km land: 21,497 sq km water: 440 sq km |
| Area - comparative | almost 2.5 times the size of Texas; slightly smaller than Alaska | slightly larger than New Jersey |
| Land boundaries | total: 5,894 km border countries (7): Afghanistan 921 km, Armenia 44 km, Azerbaijan 689 km, Iraq 1599 km, Pakistan 959 km, Turkey 534 km, Turkmenistan 1148 km | total: 1,068 km border countries (6): Egypt 208 km, Gaza Strip 59 km, Jordan 327 km (20 km are within the Dead Sea), Lebanon 81 km, Syria 83 km, West Bank 330 km |
| Coastline | 2,440 km - note: Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) | 273 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf continental shelf: natural prolongation | territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation |
| Climate | mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast | temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas |
| Terrain | rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts | Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,625 m lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m mean elevation: 1,305 m | highest point: Mitspe Shlagim 2,224 m; note - this is the highest named point, the actual highest point is an unnamed dome slightly to the west of Mitspe Shlagim at 2,236 m; both points are on the northeastern border of Israel, along the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m mean elevation: 508 m note - does not include elevation data from the Golan Heights |
| Natural resources | petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur | timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand |
| Land use | agricultural land: 30.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 10.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 18.1% (2018 est.) forest: 6.8% (2018 est.) other: 63.1% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 23.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 13.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.3% (2018 est.) forest: 7.1% (2018 est.) other: 69.1% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 95,530 sq km (2012) | 2,250 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes | sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes |
| Environment - current issues | air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization | limited arable land and restricted natural freshwater resources; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation |
| Geography - note | strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport | note 1: Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti) note 2: the Malham Cave in Mount Sodom is the world's longest salt cave at 10 km (6 mi); its survey is not complete and its length will undoubtedly increase; Mount Sodom is actually a hill some 220 m (722 ft) high that is 80% salt (multiple salt layers covered by a veneer of rock) note 3: in March 2019, there were 380 Israeli settlements,to include 213 settlements and 132 outposts in the West Bank, and 35 settlements in East Jerusalem; there are no Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, as all were evacuated in 2005 (2019) |
| Total renewable water resources | 137.045 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 1.78 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | population is concentrated in the north, northwest, and west, reflecting the position of the Zagros and Elburz Mountains; the vast dry areas in the center and eastern parts of the country, around the deserts of the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, have a much lower population density | population concentrated in and around Tel-Aviv, as well as around the Sea of Galilee; the south remains sparsely populated with the exception of the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba |
Demographics
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 85,888,910 (July 2021 est.) | 8,787,045 (includes populations of the Golan Heights or Golan Sub-District and also East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel after 1967) (July 2021 est.) note: approximately 227,100 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2019); following the March 2019 US recognition of the Golan Heights as being part of Israel, The World Factbook no longer includes Israeli settler population of the Golan Heights (estimated at 23,400 in 2019) in its overall Israeli settler total |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 24.11% (male 10,472,844/female 10,000,028) 15-24 years: 13.36% (male 5,806,034/female 5,537,561) 25-54 years: 48.94% (male 21,235,038/female 20,327,384) 55-64 years: 7.72% (male 3,220,074/female 3,337,420) 65 years and over: 5.87% (male 2,316,677/female 2,670,254) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 26.76% (male 1,187,819/female 1,133,365) 15-24 years: 15.67% (male 694,142/female 665,721) 25-54 years: 37.2% (male 1,648,262/female 1,579,399) 55-64 years: 8.4% (male 363,262/female 365,709) 65 years and over: 11.96% (male 467,980/female 569,816) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 31.7 years male: 31.5 years female: 32 years (2020 est.) | total: 30.4 years male: 29.8 years female: 31 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | 1.03% (2021 est.) | 1.45% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 15.78 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 17.52 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 5.14 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 5.06 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | -0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 2.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 3.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 75.06 years male: 73.71 years female: 76.48 years (2021 est.) | total population: 83.15 years male: 81.25 years female: 85.15 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 1.93 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 2.57 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | <.1% (2020 est.) | 0.2% (2018) |
| Nationality | noun: Iranian(s) adjective: Iranian | noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli |
| Ethnic groups | Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes | Jewish 74.1% (of which Israel-born 78.1%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 15.2%, Africa-born 4.3%, Asia-born 2.4%), Arab 21%, other 4.9% (2019 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 54,000 (2020 est.) | 9,000 (2018) |
| Religions | Muslim (official) 99.4% (Shia 90-95%, Sunni 5-10%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) 0.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2011 est.) | Jewish 74.1%, Muslim 17.9%, Christian 1.9%, Druze 1.6%, other 4.5% (2019 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | 3,200 (2020 est.) | <100 (2018) |
| Languages | Persian Farsi (official), Azeri and other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, Arabic major-language sample(s): ????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ???? (Persian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. | Hebrew (official), Arabic (special status under Israeli law), English (most commonly used foreign language) major-language sample(s): ??? ?????? ?????, ????? ?????? ????? ????? (Hebrew) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.5% male: 90.4% female: 80.8% (2016) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% male: 98.7% female: 96.8% (2011) |
| School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) | total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2017) | total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2018) |
| Education expenditures | 4% of GDP (2018) | 6.1% of GDP (2017) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 76.3% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 92.7% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.51% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 98.6% of population rural: 93.1% of population total: 97.2% of population unimproved: urban: 1.4% of population rural: 6.9% of population total: 2.8% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 95.7% of population total: 98.1% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population (2015 est.) rural: 4.3% of population total: 1.9% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 9.259 million TEHRAN (capital), 3.264 million Mashhad, 2.177 million Esfahan, 1.675 million Shiraz, 1.627 million Tabriz, 1.582 million Karaj (2021) | 4.264 million Tel Aviv-Yafo, 1.155 million Haifa, 944,000 JERUSALEM (capital) (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 16 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Health expenditures | 8.7% (2018) | 7.5% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 1.58 physicians/1,000 population (2018) | 4.63 physicians/1,000 population (2018) |
| Hospital bed density | 1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) | 3 beds/1,000 population (2017) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 25.8% (2016) | 26.1% (2016) |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 45.6 youth dependency ratio: 36 elderly dependency ratio: 9.6 potential support ratio: 14.2 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 67.3 youth dependency ratio: 46.6 elderly dependency ratio: 20.8 potential support ratio: 4.8 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Country name | conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran conventional short form: Iran local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran local short form: Iran former: Persia etymology: name derives from the Avestan term "aryanam" meaning "Land of the Noble [Ones]" | conventional long form: State of Israel conventional short form: Israel local long form: Medinat Yisra'el local short form: Yisra'el etymology: named after the ancient Kingdom of Israel; according to Biblical tradition, the Jewish patriarch Jacob received the name "Israel" ("He who struggles with God") after he wrestled an entire night with an angel of the Lord; Jacob's 12 sons became the ancestors of the Israelites, also known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel, who formed the Kingdom of Israel |
| Government type | theocratic republic | parliamentary democracy |
| Capital | name: Tehran geographic coordinates: 35 42 N, 51 25 E time difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins fourth Wednesday in March; ends fourth Friday in September etymology: various explanations of the city's name have been proffered, but the most plausible states that it derives from the Persian words "tah" meaning "end or bottom" and "ran" meaning "[mountain] slope" to signify "bottom of the mountain slope"; Tehran lies at the bottom slope of the Elburz Mountains | name: Jerusalem; note - the US recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017 without taking a position on the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, Friday before the last Sunday in March; ends the last Sunday in October etymology: Jerusalem's settlement may date back to 2800 B.C.; it is named Urushalim in Egyptian texts of the 14th century B.C.; "uru-shalim" likely means "foundation of [by] the god Shalim", and derives from Hebrew/Semitic "yry", "to found or lay a cornerstone", and Shalim, the Canaanite god of dusk and the nether world; Shalim was associated with sunset and peace and the name is based on the same S-L-M root from which Semitic words for "peace" are derived (Salam or Shalom in modern Arabic and Hebrew); this confluence has thus led to naming interpretations such as "The City of Peace" or "The Abode of Peace" |
| Administrative divisions | 31 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Alborz, Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi (West Azerbaijan), Azarbayjan-e Sharqi (East Azerbaijan), Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi (South Khorasan), Khorasan-e Razavi (Razavi Khorasan), Khorasan-e Shomali (North Khorasan), Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan | 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv |
| Independence | 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed); notable earlier dates: ca. 550 B.C. (Achaemenid (Persian) Empire established); A.D. 1501 (Iran reunified under the Safavid Dynasty); 1794 (beginning of Qajar Dynasty); 12 December 1925 (modern Iran established under the PAHLAVI Dynasty) | 14 May 1948 (following League of Nations mandate under British administration) |
| National holiday | Republic Day, 1 April (1979) | Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May |
| Constitution | history: previous 1906; latest adopted 24 October 1979, effective 3 December 1979 amendments: proposed by the supreme leader - after consultation with the Exigency Council - and submitted as an edict to the "Council for Revision of the Constitution," a body consisting of various executive, legislative, judicial, and academic leaders and members; passage requires absolute majority vote in a referendum and approval of the supreme leader; articles including Iran's political system, its religious basis, and its form of government cannot be amended; amended 1989 | history: no formal constitution; some functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws, and the Law of Return (as amended) amendments: proposed by Government of Israel ministers or by the Knesset; passage requires a majority vote of Knesset members and subject to Supreme Court judicial review; 11 of the 13 Basic Laws have been amended at least once, latest in 2020 (Basic Law: the Knesset) |
| Legal system | religious legal system based on secular and Islamic law | mixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal; 17 years of age for municipal elections |
| Executive branch | chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) head of government: President-elect Ebrahim RAISI (since 18 June 2021); First Vice President Eshagh JAHANGIRI (since 5 August 2013) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the supreme leader has some control over appointments to several ministries elections/appointments: supreme leader appointed for life by Assembly of Experts; president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term and an additional nonconsecutive term); election last held on 18 June 2012 (next to be held in June 2025) election results: Ebrahim RAISI elected president; percent of vote - Ebrahim RAISI (CCA) 72.4%, Mohsen Rezaee MIRGHA'ED (RFII) 13.8%, Abbdolnaser HEMMATI (ECP) 9.8%, Amir Hossein Hossein Ghazizadegh HASHEMI (Islamic Law Party) 4% note: 3 oversight bodies are also considered part of the executive branch of government | chief of state: President Issac HERZOG (since 7 July 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Naftali BENNETT (since 13 June 2021) cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Knesset for a single 7-year term; election last held on 2 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2028); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, tasks a Knesset member (usually the member of the largest party) with forming a new government election results: Issac HERZOG elected president; Knesset vote - Issac HERZOG (independent) 87, Miriam PERETZ (independent) 26, invalid/blank 7 |
| Legislative branch | description: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami or Majles (290 seats; 285 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by 2-round vote, and 1 seat each for Zoroastrians, Jews, Assyrian and Chaldean Christians, Armenians in the north of the country and Armenians in the south; members serve 4-year terms); note - all candidates to the Majles must be approved by the Council of Guardians, a 12-member group of which 6 are appointed by the supreme leader and 6 are jurists nominated by the judiciary and elected by the Majles elections: first round held on 21 February 2020 and second round for 11 remaining seats held on 11 September 2020 (next full Majles election to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by coalition (first round) - NA; seats by coalition (first round) - conservatives 219, reformists 20, independents 35, religious minorities 5; remaining 11 seats to be decided in April 2020 | description: unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a 3.25% vote threshold to gain representation; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 23 March 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent by party - Likud 24.2%, Yesh Atid 13.9%, Shas 7.2%, Blue and White 6.6%, Yamina 6.2%, Labor 6.1%, UTJ 5.6%, Yisrael Beiteinu 5.6%, Religious Zionist Party 5.1%, Joint List 4.8%, New Hope 4.7%, Meretz 4.6%, Ra'am 3.8%, other 0.5%; seats by party - Likud 30, Yesh Atid 17, Shas 9, Blue and White 8, Yamina 7, Labor 7, UTJ 7, Yisrael Beiteinu 7, Religious Zionist Party 6, Joint List 6, New Hope 6, Meretz 6, Ra'am 4 - NA |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and organized into 42 two-bench branches, each with a justice and a judge) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president appointed by the head of the High Judicial Council (HJC), a 5-member body to include the Supreme Court chief justice, the prosecutor general, and 3 clergy, in consultation with judges of the Supreme Court; president appointed for a single, renewable 5-year term; other judges appointed by the HJC; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: Penal Courts I and II; Islamic Revolutionary Courts; Courts of Peace; Special Clerical Court (functions outside the judicial system and handles cases involving clerics); military courts | highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the president, deputy president, 13 justices, and 2 registrars) and normally sits in panels of 3 justices; in special cases, the panel is expanded with an uneven number of justices judge selection and term of office: judges selected by the 9-member Judicial Selection Committee, consisting of the Minister of Justice (chair), the president of the Supreme Court, two other Supreme Court justices, 1 other Cabinet minister, 2 Knesset members, and 2 representatives of the Israel Bar Association; judges can serve up to mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: district and magistrate courts; national and regional labor courts; family and juvenile courts; special and religious courts |
| Political parties and leaders | Combatant Clergy Association (an active political group) Council for Coordinating the Reforms Front Executives of Construction Party Followers of the Guardianship of the Jurisprudent [Ali LARIJANI] Front of Islamic Revolutionary Stability [Morteza AGHA-TEHRANI, general secretary] Islamic Coalition Party Islamic Iran Participation Front [associated with former President Mohammed KHATAMI] Islamic Law Party Militant Clerics Society Moderation and Development Party National Trust Party National Unity Party Pervasive Coalition of Reformists [Ali SUFI, chairman] (includes Council for Coordinating the Reforms Front, National Trust Party, Union of Islamic Iran People Party, Moderation and Development Party) Principlists Grand Coalition [Ali Reza ZAKANI] (includes Combatant Clergy Association and Islamic Coalition Party, Society of Devotees and Pathseekers of the Islamic Revolution, Front of Islamic Revolution Stability) Progress, Welfare, and Justice Front Progress and Justice Population of Islamic Iran or PJP [Hosein GHORBANZADEH, general secretary] Resistance Front of Islamic Iran [Yadollah HABIBI, general secretary] Steadfastness Front Union of Islamic Iran People's Party Wayfarers of the Islamic Revolution | Democratic Union [Nitzan HOROWITZ] (alliance includes Democratic Israel, Meretz, Green Movement) |
| International organization participation | CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) | BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN, CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: none; Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Embassy of Pakistan, 1250 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073; info@daftar.org | chief of mission: Ambassador Gilad Menashe ERDAN (since 17 February 2021) chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607 email address and website: consular@washington.mfa.gov.il https://embassies.gov.il/washington/Pages/default.aspx consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | embassy: none; the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland; US Foreign Interests Section, Embassy of Switzerland, Pasdaran, Shahid Mousavi Street (Golestan 5th), Corner of Paydarfard Street, No. 55, Tehran | chief of mission: ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael RATNEY (since 1 June 2021) embassy: 14 David Flusser Street, Jerusalem, 9378322 mailing address: 6350 Jerusalem Place, Washington DC 20521-6350 telephone: [972] (2) 630-4000 FAX: [972] (2) 630-4070 email address and website: JerusalemACS@state.gov https://il.usembassy.gov/ branch office(s): Tel Aviv note: on 14 May 2018, the US Embassy relocated to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv; on 4 March 2019, Consulate General Jerusalem merged into US Embassy Jerusalem to form a single diplomatic mission |
| Flag description | three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band; green is the color of Islam and also represents growth, white symbolizes honesty and peace, red stands for bravery and martyrdom | white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Star of David or Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times note: the Israeli flag proclamation states that the flag colors are sky blue and white, but the exact shade of blue has never been set and can vary from a light to a dark blue |
| National anthem | name: "Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran) lyrics/music: multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI note 1: adopted 1990; Iran has had six national anthems; the first, entitled Salam-e Shah (Royal Salute) was in use from 1873-1909; next came Salamati-ye Dowlat-e Elliye-ye Iran (Salute of the Sublime State of Persia, 1909-1933); it was followed by Sorud-e melli (The Imperial Anthem of Iran; 1933-1979), which chronicled the exploits of the Pahlavi Dynasty; Ey Iran (Oh Iran) functioned unofficially as the national anthem for a brief period between the ouster of the Shah in 1979 and the early days of the Islamic Republic in 1980; Payandeh Bada Iran (Long Live Iran) was used between 1980 and 1990 during the time of Ayatollah KHOMEINI note 2: a recording of the current Iranian national anthem is unavailable since the US Navy Band does not record anthems for countries from which the US does not anticipate official visits; the US does not have diplomatic relations with Iran | name: "Hatikvah" (The Hope) lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart) |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002 |
| National symbol(s) | lion; national colors: green, white, red | Star of David (Magen David), menorah (seven-branched lampstand); national colors: blue, white |
| Citizenship | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Iran dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Israel dual citizenship recognized: yes, but naturalized citizens are not allowed to maintain dual citizenship residency requirement for naturalization: 3 out of the 5 years preceding the application for naturalization note: Israeli law (Law of Return, 5 July 1950) provides for the granting of citizenship to any Jew - defined as a person being born to a Jewish mother or having converted to Judaism while renouncing any other religion - who immigrates to and expresses a desire to settle in Israel on the basis of the Right of aliyah; the 1970 amendment of this act extended the right to family members including the spouse of a Jew, any child or grandchild, and the spouses of children and grandchildren |
Economy
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - overview | Iran's economy is marked by statist policies, inefficiencies, and reliance on oil and gas exports, but Iran also possesses significant agricultural, industrial, and service sectors. The Iranian government directly owns and operates hundreds of state-owned enterprises and indirectly controls many companies affiliated with the country's security forces. Distortions - including corruption, price controls, subsidies, and a banking system holding billions of dollars of non-performing loans - weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Private sector activity includes small-scale workshops, farming, some manufacturing, and services, in addition to medium-scale construction, cement production, mining, and metalworking. Significant informal market activity flourishes and corruption is widespread. The lifting of most nuclear-related sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in January 2016 sparked a restoration of Iran's oil production and revenue that drove rapid GDP growth, but economic growth declined in 2017 as oil production plateaued. The economy continues to suffer from low levels of investment and declines in productivity since before the JCPOA, and from high levels of unemployment, especially among women and college-educated Iranian youth. In May 2017, the re-election of President Hasan RUHANI generated widespread public expectations that the economic benefits of the JCPOA would expand and reach all levels of society. RUHANI will need to implement structural reforms that strengthen the banking sector and improve Iran's business climate to attract foreign investment and encourage the growth of the private sector. Sanctions that are not related to Iran's nuclear program remain in effect, and these-plus fears over the possible re-imposition of nuclear-related sanctions-will continue to deter foreign investors from engaging with Iran. | Israel has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows.
Since March 2020, economic growth has slowed compared to recent historical averages, but Israel's slump has been less severe than in other Middle Eastern countries because of its swift vaccine roll-out and diversified economic base. Between 2016 and 2019, growth averaged 3.6% per year, led by exports. Israel's new government is hoping to pass the country's first budget in two years, which, combined with prudent fiscal policy and strong global trade ties would probably enable Israel to recover from economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds in the last decade. In 2020, Israel began exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan.
Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries, and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2021, with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency.
In the long term, Israel faces structural issues including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $1,027,238,000,000 (2019 est.) $1.102 trillion (2018 est.) $1,172,665,000,000 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $394.7 billion (2019 est.) $351.254 billion (2018 est.) $339.528 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 3.7% (2017 est.) 12.5% (2016 est.) -1.6% (2015 est.) | -2.6% (2020 est.) 3.28% (2019 est.) 3.69% (2018 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $12,389 (2019 est.) $13,472 (2018 est.) $14,536 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $41,953 (2020 est.) $40,145 (2019 est.) $39,543 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 9.6% (2016 est.) industry: 35.3% (2016 est.) services: 55% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.) industry: 26.5% (2017 est.) services: 69.5% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 18.7% (2007 est.) | 22% (2014 est.) note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 29.6% (2005) | lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 31.3% (2010) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 10% (2017 est.) 9.6% (2017 est.) 9.1% (2016 est.) note: official Iranian estimate | 1.8% (2020 est.) 0.8% (2019 est.) 0.8% (2018 est.) |
| Labor force | 30.5 million (2017 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor | 3.893 million (2020 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 16.3% industry: 35.1% services: 48.6% (2013 est.) | agriculture: 1.1% industry: 17.3% services: 81.6% (2015 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | 11.8% (2017 est.) 12.4% (2016 est.) note: data are Iranian Government numbers | 4.4% (2020 est.) 3.81% (2019 est.) 4% (2018 est.) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index | 40.8 (2017 est.) | 37 (2018 est.) 39 (2016 est.) 39.2 (2008) |
| Budget | revenues: 74.4 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 84.45 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 93.11 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 100.2 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | petroleum, petrochemicals, gas, fertilizer, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and nonferrous metal fabrication, armaments | high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, pharmaceuticals, construction, metal products, chemical products, plastics, cut diamonds, textiles, footwear |
| Industrial production growth rate | 3% (2017 est.) | 3.5% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | wheat, sugar cane, milk, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, potatoes, oranges, poultry, apples | milk, potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, carrots, turnips, tangerines/mandarins, green chillies/peppers, eggs, vegetables |
| Exports | $101.4 billion (2017 est.) $83.98 billion (2016 est.) | $104.992 billion (2019 est.) $101.389 billion (2018 est.) $95.196 billion (2017 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | crude petroleum, polymers, industrial alcohols, iron, pistachios (2019) | diamonds, packaged medicines, medical instruments, integrated circuits, refined petroleum (2019) |
| Exports - partners | China 48%, India 12%, South Korea 8%, Turkey 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) | United States 26%, China 9%, United Kingdom 7% (2020) |
| Imports | $76.39 billion (2017 est.) $63.14 billion (2016 est.) | $116.23 billion (2019 est.) $111.652 billion (2018 est.) $104.252 billion (2017 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | rice, corn, broadcasting equipment, soybean products, beef (2019) | diamonds, cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019) |
| Imports - partners | China 28%, United Arab Emirates 20%, India 11%, Turkey 7%, Brazil 6%, Germany 5% (2019) | United States 12%, China 11%, Germany 7.5%, Switzerland 7%, Turkey 6% (2020) |
| Debt - external | $7.995 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $8.196 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $132.5 billion (31 December 2020 est.) $99.886 billion (2019 est.) $94.247 billion (2018 est.) |
| Exchange rates | Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar - 32,769.7 (2017 est.) 30,914.9 (2016 est.) 30,914.9 (2015 est.) 29,011.5 (2014 est.) 25,912 (2013 est.) | new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.44 (2020 est.) 3.4684 (2019 est.) 3.7332 (2018 est.) 3.8869 (2014 est.) 3.5779 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | 21 March - 20 March | calendar year |
| Public debt | 39.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: includes publicly guaranteed debt | 72.6% of GDP (2020 est.) 59.6% of GDP (2019 est.) 60.4% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $120.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $133.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $173.292 billion (2020 est.) $113 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $95.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | $9.491 billion (2017 est.) $16.28 billion (2016 est.) | $20.642 billion (2020 est.) $13.411 billion (2019 est.) $7.888 billion (2018 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $581.252 billion (2019 est.) | $394.93 billion (2019 est.) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 58.5 (2020) Starting a Business score: 67.8 (2020) Trading score: 66.2 (2020) Enforcement score: 58.2 (2020) | Overall score: 76.7 (2020) Starting a Business score: 94.1 (2020) Trading score: 83.4 (2020) Enforcement score: 58.9 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -2.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 27.7% male: 24.4% female: 40% (2018 est.) | total: 6.7% male: 6.1% female: 7.2% (2019 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 49.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 14.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -24.9% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 55.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 22.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -27.5% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 37.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 35.2% of GDP (2015 est.) | 24.7% of GDP (2019 est.) 24.4% of GDP (2018 est.) 24.4% of GDP (2017 est.) |
Energy
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 272.3 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 63.09 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 236.3 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 55 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 6.822 billion kWh (2015 est.) | 5.2 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 4.221 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 4.251 million bbl/day (2018 est.) | 390 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 231,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 750,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 157.2 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 12.73 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 33.72 trillion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) | 176 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 214.5 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 9.826 billion cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 206.9 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 9.995 billion cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 11.64 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 3.993 billion cu m (2017 est.) | 509.7 million cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 77.6 million kW (2016 est.) | 17.59 million kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 84% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 95% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 15% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 5% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 1.764 million bbl/day (2015 est.) | 294,300 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 1.804 million bbl/day (2016 est.) | 242,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 397,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 111,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 64,160 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 98,860 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 100% (2020) | electrification - total population: 100% (2020) |
Telecommunications
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 28,954,855 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34.45 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 3.14 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36.8 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 118,061,419 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 140.48 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 11.7 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137.11 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .ir | .il |
| Internet users | total: 58,117,322 percent of population: 70% (July 2018 est.) | total: 6,873,037 percent of population: 81.58% (July 2018 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: challenged by censorship and international sanctions; large, youthful, tech-savvy demographic with unmet demand; state-owned operators provided special offerings for services during pandemic, driving mobile broadband and deployment of 4G to nearly all of the population; government expanding fiber network and preparing for 5G to grow digital economy and smart city infrastructure; importer of broadcasting and computer equipment from UAE and China (2021) (2020) domestic: 35 per 100 for fixed-line and 142 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions; investment by Iran's state-owned telecom company has greatly improved and expanded both the fixed-line and mobile cellular networks; a huge percentage of the cell phones in the market have been smuggled into the country (2019) international: country code - 98; landing points for Kuwait-Iran, GBICS & MENA, FALCON, OMRAN/3PEG Cable System, POI and UAE-Iran submarine fiber-optic cable to the Middle East, Africa and India; (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: Israel has a highly developed economy with focus on technology products; investment in cyber-security industry and hub for start-ups; near universal broadband delivery to households and mobile penetration; LTE coverage, expanded fiber network with plans for 5G; emergency law allows mobile tracking; importer of broadcast equipment, integrated circuits, and computers from China; submarine cable connectivity to Europe (2021) (2020)domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; competition among both fixed-line and mobile cellular providers results in good coverage countrywide; fixed-line 36 per 100 and 127 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019) international: country code - 972; landing points for the MedNautilus Submarine System, Tameres North, Jonah and Lev Submarine System, submarine cables that provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 8,771,251 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10.44 (2019 est.) | total: 2.481 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29.08 (2019 est.) |
| Broadcast media | state-run broadcast media with no private, independent broadcasters; Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the state-run TV broadcaster, operates 19 nationwide channels including a news channel, about 34 provincial channels, and several international channels; about 20 foreign Persian-language TV stations broadcasting on satellite TV are capable of being seen in Iran; satellite dishes are illegal and, while their use is subjectively tolerated, authorities confiscate satellite dishes from time to time; IRIB operates 16 nationwide radio networks, a number of provincial stations, and an external service; most major international broadcasters transmit to Iran (2019) | the Israel Broadcasting Corporation (est 2015) broadcasts on 3 channels, two in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2019) |
Transportation
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Railways | total: 8,484 km (2014) standard gauge: 8,389.5 km 1.435-m gauge (189.5 km electrified) (2014) broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge (2014) | total: 1,384 km (2014) standard gauge: 1,384 km 1.435-m gauge (2014) |
| Roadways | total: 223,485 km (2018) paved: 195,485 km (2018) unpaved: 28,000 km (2018) | total: 19,555 km (2017) paved: 19,555 km (includes 449 km of expressways) (2017) |
| Pipelines | 7 km condensate, 973 km condensate/gas, 20794 km gas, 570 km liquid petroleum gas, 8625 km oil, 7937 km refined products (2013) | 763 km gas, 442 km oil, 261 km refined products (2013) |
| Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Bandar-e Asaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni container port(s) (TEUs): Bandar Abbas | major seaport(s): Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa container port(s) (TEUs): Ashdod (1,584,000) (2019) |
| Merchant marine | total: 877 by type: bulk carrier 32, container ship 26, general cargo 373, oil tanker 83, other 363 (2020) | total: 41 by type: container ship 6, general cargo 3, oil tanker 3, other 29 (2020) |
| Airports | total: 319 (2013) | total: 42 (2020) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 140 (2019) over 3,047 m: 42 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 7 | total: 33 (2019) over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 8 |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 179 (2013) over 3,047 m: 1 (2013) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 135 (2013) under 914 m: 32 (2013) | total: 9 (2020) 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 6 |
| Heliports | 26 (2013) | 3 (2013) |
| National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 22 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 237 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 25,604,871 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 290.74 million mt-km (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 64 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 7,404,373 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 994.54 million mt-km (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | EP | 4X |
Military
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines), Air Force, Air Defense Forces; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines), Aerospace Force (controls strategic missile force), Qods Force (special operations), Cyber Command, Basij Paramilitary Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (border and security troops, assigned to the armed forces in wartime) (2021) note: the Iranian Navy operates Iran's larger warships and operates in the Gulf of Oman, the Caspian Sea, and deep waters in the region and beyond; the IRGC Navy has responsibility for the closer-in Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz | Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Forces, Israel Naval Force (IN, includes commandos), Israel Air Force (IAF, includes air defense); Ministry of Public Security: Border Police (2021) note: the Border Police is a unit within the Israel Police with its own organizational and command structure; it works both independently as well as in cooperation with or in support of the Israel Police and Israel Defense Force |
| Military service age and obligation | 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation is 18-24 months; women exempt from military service (2019) | 18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druze) military service; 17 years of age for voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 32 months for enlisted men and about 24 months for enlisted women (varies based on military occupation), 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9-year service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), age 24 (women) (2020) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 3.8% of GDP (2019 est.) 6.1% of GDP (2018 est.) 5.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 4.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 4.3% of GDP (2015 est.) (Estimates) | 5% of GDP (2019) 5% of GDP (2018) 5.5% of GDP (2017) 5.5% of GDP (2016) 5.5% of GDP (2015) |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | information varies; approximately 550-600,000 total active personnel; approximately 400,000 Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (350,000 Ground Forces; 18,000 Navy; 40,000 Air Force/Air Defense Forces); approximately 150-190,000 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (100-150,000 Ground Forces; 20,000 Navy; 15,000 Aerospace Force; 5-15,000 Qods Force); est. 90,000 active Basij Paramilitary Forces (2021) | the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have approximately 173,000 active personnel (130,000 Ground Forces; 9,000 Naval; 34,000 Air Force) (2021) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the Iranian military's inventory includes a mix of domestically-produced and mostly older foreign equipment largely of Chinese, Russian, Soviet, and US origin (US equipment acquired prior to the Islamic Revolution in 1979); weapons imports from Western countries are restricted by international sanctions; since 2010, Iran has received equipment from Belarus, China, and Russia; Iran has a defense industry with the capacity to develop, produce, support, and sustain air, land, missile, and naval weapons programs (2020) | the majority of the IDF's inventory is comprised of weapons that are domestically-produced or imported from Europe and the US; since 2010, the US is by far the leading supplier of arms to Israel, followed by Germany; Israel has a broad defense industrial base that can develop, produce, support, and sustain a wide variety of weapons systems for both domestic use and export, particularly armored vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, air defense, and guided missiles (2021) |
Transnational Issues
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed Helmand River tributaries during drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the sea; Afghan and Iranian commissioners have discussed boundary monument densification and resurvey | West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier construction; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-controlled (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); in March 2019, the US Government recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights; since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region |
| Illicit drugs | despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; regularly enforces the death penalty for drug offences; lacks anti-money laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence | increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center |
| Refugees and internally displaced persons | refugees (country of origin): 2.1-2.25 million undocumented Afghans, 586,000 Afghan passport holders, 780,000 Afghan refugee card holders, 20,000 Iraqi refugee card holders (2020) stateless persons: 34 (2020) | refugees (country of origin): 12,181 (Eritrea), 5,061 (Ukraine) (2019) stateless persons: 42 (2020) |
Terrorism
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Terrorist Group(s) | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah); Kurdistan Workers' Party; al-Qa'ida note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T | Kahane Chai; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; Palestinian Islamic Jihad note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T |
Environment
| Iran | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 35.09 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 661.71 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 158.71 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 19.46 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 65.17 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 13.02 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 6.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 86 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 983 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 72 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.249 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2017 est.) | forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2017 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 17.885 million tons (2017 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 894,250 tons (2017 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5% (2017 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 5.4 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1.35 million tons (2017 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25% (2017 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
