Editing Iran (section)

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Iran}}
{{See also|Borders of Iran|Agriculture in Iran}}{{multiple image
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| caption1          = [[Mount Damavand]], the highest volcano in [[Asia]]. It as has a special place in [[Persian mythology]].
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| caption2          = Forest mountains of [[Filband|Filband region]] in [[Mazandaran province]]
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Iran has an area of {{convert|1648195|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. It is the [[List of Asian countries by area|sixth-largest country entirely in Asia]] and the second-largest in West Asia.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Iran's Strategy in the Strait of Hormuz |url=https://thediplomat.com/2012/07/irans-strategy-in-the-strait-of-hormuz/ |url-status=dead |magazine=The Diplomat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208071232/https://thediplomat.com/2012/07/irans-strategy-in-the-strait-of-hormuz/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=29 November 2015}}</ref> It lies between latitudes [[24th parallel north|24°]] and [[40th parallel north|40° N]], and longitudes [[44th meridian east|44°]] and [[64th meridian east|64° E]]. It is bordered to the northwest by [[Armenia]] ({{convert|35|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), the Azeri exclave of [[Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic|Nakhchivan]] ({{convert|179|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/azerbaijan/ |title=CIA – The World Factbook |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127171042/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/azerbaijan/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Azerbaijan|Republic of Azerbaijan]] ({{convert|611|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}); to the north by the [[Caspian Sea]]; to the northeast by [[Turkmenistan]] ({{convert|992|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}); to the east by [[Afghanistan]] ({{convert|936|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) and Pakistan ({{convert|909|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}); to the south by the [[Persian Gulf]] and the [[Gulf of Oman]]; and to the west by [[Iraq]] ({{convert|1458|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) and Turkey ({{convert|499|km|mi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}).

Iran is in a seismically active area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/which-country-has-most-earthquakes |title=Which country has the most earthquakes? |date=2 May 2010 |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |access-date=22 May 2021 |archive-date=22 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522195818/https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/which-country-has-most-earthquakes |url-status=live}}</ref> On average, an earthquake of magnitude seven on the [[Richter scale]] occurs once every ten years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ilna.news/fa/tiny/news-11875 |title=هر ده سال، یک زلزله ۷ ریشتری در کشور رخ می‌دهد &#124; خبرگزاری ایلنا |date=13 October 2012 |work=Ilna.news |access-date=5 August 2022 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328151114/https://www.ilna.ir/بخش-اخبار-47/11875-هر-ده-سال-یک |url-status=live}}</ref> Most earthquakes are shallow-focus and can be very devastating, such as the [[2003 Bam earthquake]].

Iran consists of the [[Iranian Plateau]]. It is one of the world's most mountainous countries; its landscape is dominated by rugged [[mountain range]]s that separate [[drainage basin|basins]] or [[plateau]]s. The populous west part is the most mountainous, with ranges such as the [[Caucasus Mountains|Caucasus]], [[Zagros Mountains|Zagros]], and [[Alborz]], the last containing [[Mount Damavand]], Iran's highest point, at {{convert|5610|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, which is the highest volcano in Asia. Iran's mountains have impacted its politics and economics for centuries.

The north part is covered by the lush lowland [[Hyrcanian forests|Caspian Hyrcanian forests]], near the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. The east part consists mostly of [[desert]] basins, such as the [[Dasht-e Kavir|Kavir Desert]], which is the country's largest desert, and the [[Dasht-e Loot|Lut Desert]], as well as [[salt lake]]s. The Lut Desert is the hottest recorded spot on the Earth's surface, with 70.7&nbsp;°C recorded in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 2009 |title=The 5 Hottest Deserts in the World |url=https://www.mapquest.com/travel/survival/wilderness/5-hottest-deserts-on-earth.htm |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=MapQuest Travel |language=en-us |archive-date=31 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231121804/https://www.mapquest.com/travel/survival/wilderness/5-hottest-deserts-on-earth.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2012 |title=Where Is the Hottest Place on Earth? |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/HottestSpot |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov |language=en |archive-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103173321/https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/HottestSpot |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2017 |title=The hottest place on earth – Secret Compass |url=https://secretcompass.com/ten-things-you-didnt-know-about-iran-lut-desert-gallery-video/ |access-date=31 December 2023 |language=en-GB |archive-date=31 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231121805/https://secretcompass.com/ten-things-you-didnt-know-about-iran-lut-desert-gallery-video/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sand-boarding.com |date=10 August 2023 |title=The Hottest Deserts on Earth Are Too Hot to Handle |url=https://sand-boarding.com/hottest-deserts-in-the-world/ |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=Surf the Sand |language=en-US |archive-date=31 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231121804/https://sand-boarding.com/hottest-deserts-in-the-world/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The only large [[plain]]s are found along the coast of the Caspian and at the north end of the Persian Gulf, where the country borders the mouth of the [[Shatt al-Arab|Arvand river]]. Smaller, discontinuous plains are found along the remaining coast of the Persian Gulf, the [[Strait of Hormuz]], and Gulf of Oman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geography {{!}} Iranian Student Organization (IrSO) {{!}} Nebraska |url=https://www.unl.edu/irso/geography |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=unl.edu |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128122610/https://www.unl.edu/irso/geography |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IRAN TODAY – Geography... |url=https://www.allventure.com/en/impressions/iran-today/geography.html |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=allventure.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128122610/https://www.allventure.com/en/impressions/iran-today/geography.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran ecotourism {{!}} Iran Ecotour guide training course |url=https://arasbaran.org/en/news.cfm?id=680 |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=arasbaran.org |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128122612/https://arasbaran.org/en/news.cfm?id=680 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Islands ===
{{Main|List of islands of Iran}}
[[File:Tahmineh Monzavi Photo Majara Residence Hormuz Iran View from the sea 2020.jpg|thumb|Majara Residence, a seaside accommodation complex on the [[Hormuz Island]], [[Persian Gulf]]]]
Iranian islands are mainly located in the Persian Gulf. Iran has 102 islands in [[Lake Urmia|Urmia Lake]], 427 in [[Aras (river)|Aras River]], several in [[Anzali Lagoon]], [[Ashuradeh|Ashurade Island]] in the [[Caspian Sea]], Sheytan Island in the [[Gulf of Oman|Oman Sea]] and other inland islands. Iran has an uninhabited island at the far end of the [[Gulf of Oman]], near Pakistan. A few islands can be visited by tourists. Most are owned by the military or used for wildlife protection, and entry is prohibited or requires a permit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Islands Tours, Top 10 Islands You Must See in Iran – Iran Travel Information |url=https://persiaplanet.com/top-iran-islands-tour/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213065104/https://persiaplanet.com/top-iran-islands-tour/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Motamedi |first=Maziar |title=Iran's IRGC runs military drills on disputed islands claimed by UAE |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/2/irans-irgc-runs-military-drills-on-disputed-islands-claimed-by-uae |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128122609/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/2/irans-irgc-runs-military-drills-on-disputed-islands-claimed-by-uae |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2023 |title=Iran's Revolutionary Guard Runs Drill on Disputed Islands in Persian Gulf |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-s-revolutionary-guard-runs-drill-on-disputed-islands-in-persian-gulf/7209101.html |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=Voice of America |language=en |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128122609/https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-s-revolutionary-guard-runs-drill-on-disputed-islands-in-persian-gulf/7209101.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Seizure of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs|Iran took control]] of [[Abu Musa|Bumusa]], and the [[Greater and Lesser Tunbs]] in 1971, in the [[Strait of Hormuz]] between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Despite the islands being small and having little natural resources or population, they are highly valuable for their strategic location.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strait of Hormuz – About the Strait |url=https://www.strausscenter.org/strait-of-hormuz-about-the-strait/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=The Strauss Center |language=en-US |archive-date=31 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231155936/https://www.strausscenter.org/strait-of-hormuz-about-the-strait/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is the Strait of Hormuz so strategically important? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/7/11/why-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-so-strategically-important |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122211454/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/7/11/why-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-so-strategically-important |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=23 July 2019 |title=The Strait of Hormuz Is at the Center of Iran Tensions Again. Here's How the Narrow Waterway Gained Wide Importance |url=https://time.com/5632388/strait-of-hormuz-iran-tanker/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214083050/https://time.com/5632388/strait-of-hormuz-iran-tanker/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2024 |title=Strait of Hormuz: the world's most important oil artery |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/strait-hormuz-worlds-most-important-oil-artery-2023-10-20/ |website=Routers |access-date=22 January 2024 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205175649/https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/strait-hormuz-worlds-most-important-oil-artery-2023-10-20/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) |url=https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42338 |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=www.eia.gov |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122211456/https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42338 |url-status=live}}</ref> Although the [[United Arab Emirates]] claims sovereignty,<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2022 |title=UAE demands return of three islands seized by Iran |url=https://arab.news/zvpkr |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2011 |title=United Arab Emirates calls on Iran to take dispute over islands to UN court {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/09/389112 |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=news.un.org |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122211454/https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/09/389112 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UAE official calls for international action to end "Iranian occupation" of disputed islands |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/uae-official-calls-international-action-end-iranian-occupation-disputed-islands |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727100431/https://www.mei.edu/publications/uae-official-calls-international-action-end-iranian-occupation-disputed-islands |url-status=live}}</ref> it has consistently been met with a strong response from Iran,<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 December 2023 |title=Iran summons Russian envoy over statement on Persian Gulf disputed islands |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-russia-diplomatic-spat-uae-islands-persian-gulf-8a5c0a577811c37869d79ce7b30ee62a |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=31 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231234933/https://apnews.com/article/iran-russia-diplomatic-spat-uae-islands-persian-gulf-8a5c0a577811c37869d79ce7b30ee62a |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spokesman: Iran's Sovereignty over Three Persian Gulf Islands Undeniable {{!}} Farsnews Agency |url=https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14020420000737/Spkesman-Iran%27s-Svereigny-ver-Three-Persian-Glf-Islands-Undeniable |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=www.farsnews.ir |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122212150/https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14020420000737/Spkesman-Iran%27s-Svereigny-ver-Three-Persian-Glf-Islands-Undeniable |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2023 |title=Tehran dismisses UAE claim to three Iranian islands |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/489390/Tehran-dismisses-UAE-claim-to-three-Iranian-islands |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Tehran Times |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122212151/https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/489390/Tehran-dismisses-UAE-claim-to-three-Iranian-islands |url-status=live}}</ref> based on their historical and cultural background.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UAE-Iran islands dispute complicates regional diplomacy {{!}} Responsible Statecraft |url=https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/08/09/uae-iran-islands-dispute-complicates-regional-diplomacy/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=responsiblestatecraft.org |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122211454/https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/08/09/uae-iran-islands-dispute-complicates-regional-diplomacy/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Iran has full control over the islands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hormozgan Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts & Tourism Organization |url=https://hchto.ir/en/pages/Abu-Musa |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=Hormozgan Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts & Tourism Organization |language=en-US |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128122610/https://hchto.ir/en/pages/Abu-Musa |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Kish Island|Kish island]], as a [[Free-trade zone|free trade zone]], is touted as a consumer's paradise, with malls, shopping centres, tourist attractions, and luxury hotels. [[Qeshm Island|Qeshm]] is the largest island in Iran, and a [[UNESCO Global Geoparks|UNESCO Global Geopark]] since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 May 2017 |title=Qeshm Island Geopark Becomes Global After Receiving UNESCO Green Card – Iran Front Page |url=https://ifpnews.com/qeshm-geopark-becomes-global-receiving-unesco-green-card/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=ifpnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602124503/https://ifpnews.com/qeshm-geopark-becomes-global-receiving-unesco-green-card/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Qeshm island Geopark – Home |url=https://www.qeshmgeopark.ir/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=www.qeshmgeopark.ir |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204101526/https://qeshmgeopark.ir/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Visit of Qeshm UNESCO Global Geopark |date=12 August 2021 |url=https://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/document-5401 |access-date=22 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627224441/https://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/document-5401 |url-status=live}}</ref> Its salt cave, Namakdan, is the largest in the world, and one of the world's longest caves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Namakdan Salt Cave {{!}} One of the Longest {{!}} Qeshm Attraction {{!}} Apochi.com |url=https://apochi.com/attractions/qeshm/namakdan-salt-cave/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=Apochi |language=en-US |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129013820/https://apochi.com/attractions/qeshm/namakdan-salt-cave/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Namakdan Salt Cave |url=https://iugs-geoheritage.org/geoheritage_sites/namakdan-salt-dome/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=IUGS |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005025434/https://iugs-geoheritage.org/geoheritage_sites/namakdan-salt-dome/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2023 |title=Namakdan Salt Cave: Qeshm's World-Famous Wonder {{!}}TAP Persia |url=https://www.tappersia.com/namakdan-salt-cave-qeshm/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602125936/https://www.tappersia.com/namakdan-salt-cave-qeshm/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.sirang.com |first=Sirang Rasaneh |title=Namakdan Salt Cave 2024 {{!}} Qeshm Island, Hormozgan {{!}} Sights – ITTO |url=https://itto.org/iran/attraction/namakdan-salt-cave-qeshm-island/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=itto.org {{!}} Iran Tourism & Touring |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211020949/https://itto.org/iran/attraction/namakdan-salt-cave-qeshm-island |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
{{main|Climate of Iran}}

[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map IRN present.svg|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification]]]]
Iran's climate is diverse, ranging from [[Desert climate|arid]] and [[semi-arid climate|semi-arid]], to [[subtropics|subtropical]] along the Caspian coast and northern forests.<ref name="HaftlangLang2003">{{cite book |author1=Kiyanoosh Kiyani Haftlang |author2=Kiyānūsh Kiyānī Haft Lang |title=The Book of Iran: A Survey of the Geography of Iran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gecy7sqblqoC&pg=PA17 |year=2003 |publisher=Alhoda UK |isbn=978-964-94491-3-5 |page=17}}</ref> On the north edge of the country, temperatures rarely fall below freezing and the area remains humid. Summer temperatures rarely exceed {{convert|29|°C|°F|1}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine-in-Iran |title=Weather and Climate: Iran, average monthly Rainfall, Sunshine, Temperature, Humidity, Wind Speed |newspaper=World Weather and Climate Information |access-date=29 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922105410/https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine-in-Iran |archive-date=22 September 2015}}</ref> Annual precipitation is {{convert|680|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the east part of the plain and more than {{convert|1700|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the west part. The UN Resident Coordinator for Iran, has said that "[[Water scarcity]] poses the most severe human security challenge in Iran today".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/farming-reforms-offer-hope-irans-water-crisis-131227395.html |title=Farming reforms offer hope for Iran's water crisis |last1=Moghtader |first1=Michelle |date=3 August 2014 |agency=Reuters |access-date=4 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807031853/http://news.yahoo.com/farming-reforms-offer-hope-irans-water-crisis-131227395.html |archive-date=7 August 2014}}</ref>

To the west, settlements in the Zagros basin experience lower temperatures, severe winters with freezing average daily temperatures and heavy snowfall. The east and central basins are arid, with less than {{convert|200|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} of rain and have occasional deserts.<ref name="Nicholson2011">{{cite book |author=Sharon E. Nicholson |title=Dryland Climatology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fqussIGJ0NcC&pg=PA367 |year=2011 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-50024-1 |page=367}}</ref> Average summer temperatures rarely exceed {{convert|38|°C|1}}. The southern coastal plains of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman have mild winters, and very humid and hot summers. The annual precipitation ranges from {{convert|135|to|355|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Nagarajan2010">{{cite book |author=R. Nagarajan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x1505bxl0EkC&pg=PA383 |title=Drought Assessment |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |year=2010 |isbn=978-90-481-2500-5 |page=383}}</ref>

=== Biodiversity ===
{{See also|Wildlife of Iran|List of national parks and protected areas of Iran|Forests of Iran}}
[[File:Persian Leopard sitting.jpg|thumb|[[Persian leopard]], native to the [[Iranian Plateau]]]]
More than one-tenth of the country is [[forest]]ed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iranian Journal of Forest – 4th National Forest Conference of Iran |url=https://www.ijf-isaforestry.ir/news?newsCode=1782&lang=en |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=www.ijf-isaforestry.ir |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508112629/https://www.ijf-isaforestry.ir/news?newsCode=1782&lang=en |url-status=live}}</ref> About 120 million hectares of forests and fields are government-owned for national exploitation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kernan |first=Henry S. |date=1957 |title=Forest Management in Iran |journal=Middle East Journal |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=198–202 |jstor=4322899}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sotoudeh Foumani |first1=B. |last2=Rostami Shahraji |first2=T. |last3=Mohammadi Limaei |first3=S. |date=1 June 2017 |title=Role of political power in forest administration policy of Iran |url=https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_2374.html |journal=Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences |language=en |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=181–199 |doi=10.22124/cjes.2017.2374 |issn=1735-3033 |access-date=8 May 2024 |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508112630/https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_2374.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Iran's forests can be divided into five vegetation regions: [[Hyrcanian forests|Hyrcanian region]] which forms the green belt of the north side of the country; the [[Turan]] region, which are mainly scattered in the centre of Iran; [[Zagros Mountains|Zagros region]], which mainly contains oak forests in the west; the [[Persian Gulf|Persian Gulf region]], which is scattered in the southern coastal belt; the [[Arasbaran|Arasbarani region]], which contains rare and unique species. More than 8,200 [[plant]] species are grown. The land covered by natural flora is four times that of Europe's.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran Wildlife and Nature – including flora and fauna and their natural habitats. |url=http://www.aitotours.com/aboutiran/20/wildlife---nature/default.aspx |access-date=5 May 2024 |website=www.aitotours.com |archive-date=5 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505152636/http://www.aitotours.com/aboutiran/20/wildlife---nature/default.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> There are over 200 protected areas to preserve biodiversity and wildlife, with over 30 being [[national park]]s.

Iran's living fauna includes 34 [[bat]] species, [[Indian grey mongoose]], [[small Indian mongoose]], [[golden jackal]], [[Indian wolf]], [[fox]]es, [[striped hyena]], [[leopard]], [[Eurasian lynx]], [[brown bear]] and [[Asian black bear]]. [[Ungulate]] species include [[wild boar]], [[urial]], [[Armenian mouflon]], [[red deer]], and [[goitered gazelle]].<ref name="Fast2005">{{cite book |author=April Fast |title=Iran: The Land |url=https://archive.org/details/iranland0000fast |url-access=registration |year=2005 |publisher=Crabtree Publishing Company |isbn=978-0-7787-9315-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/iranland0000fast/page/31 31]}}</ref><ref name="Firouz2005">{{cite book |author=Eskandar Firouz |title=The Complete Fauna of Iran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t2EZCScFXloC&pg=PP1 |year=2005 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-1-85043-946-2}}</ref> One of the most famous animals is the critically endangered [[Asiatic cheetah]], which survives only in Iran. Iran lost all its [[Asiatic lion]]s and the extinct [[Caspian tiger]]s by the early 20th century.<ref>{{cite book |author=Guggisberg, C.A.W. |year=1961 |title=Simba: The Life of the Lion |publisher=Howard Timmins, Cape Town}}</ref> Domestic ungulates are represented by [[sheep]], [[goat]], [[cattle]], [[horse]], [[water buffalo]], [[donkey]] and [[camel]]. Iran is home to more than 570 bird species like [[pheasant]], [[partridge]], [[stork]], [[eagle]]s and [[falcon]]s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Firouz |first=Eskander |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t2EZCScFXloC&pg=PP1 |title=The Complete Fauna of Iran |date=14 October 2005 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-85043-946-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Humphreys |first1=Patrick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=esV0hccod0kC&pg=PP1 |title=The Lion and the Gazelle: The Mammals and Birds of Iran |last2=Kahrom |first2=Esmail |date=31 December 1997 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-86064-229-6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bird Checklists of the World: Iran |url=https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=IR |website=Avibase |access-date=17 April 2025}}</ref>