WHY KNOW IRAN ?

Search ‘Iran’ online and you are almost certain to be met with an avalanche of negative headlines linked to politics and now, war. But beyond the negativity, stereotypes and one-sided narratives lies another, lesser-known Iran.

This website showcases those aspects of Iran that rarely make the headlines: its landscapes, people, culture, history, art, food, fashion, music, sport, cinema, literature, wildlife and more. Content on these topics does exist online, but it is often buried beneath an ocean of political news and noise.

This website seeks to address this by bringing together and curating positive, non-political Iran content in one place, making it easier to discover, explore and share, while helping to challenge common misconceptions and stereotypes along the way.

The vision is to eventually expand the platform to include original writing, guest contributions and podcasts that delve more deeply into the stories, people and subjects featured across the site.

It’s time to know Iran…

A land of snow-capped mountains and world class ski slopes, stunning forests and grasslands, golden beaches and coastlines and mesmerising deserts. A country of vibrant cities where modernity and antiquity sit side by side, and home to 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

A civilisation shaped by more than 5,000 years of history offering a rich culture, breathtaking architecture and exquisite cuisine; the birthplace of one of the ancient world’s great empires, and of ideas and innovations whose influence travelled far beyond its borders.

This is the land of Rumi, Hafez and Khayyam, poets whose words on love, life and the human spirit continue to resonate around the world; of Cyrus the Great, celebrated for freeing the Jews from Babylonian captivity and associated with one of the earliest charters of human rights - a man whose example of leadership and tolerant governance would inspire thinkers and statesmen for centuries to come, including Thomas Jefferson.

But Iran is not only its past. It is, above all, the home of an extraordinarily hospitable and talented people. Its women and young people, in particular, continue to push boundaries and make their mark in brilliant ways across science and engineering, business and enterprise, art, film, architecture, fashion, sport, music and beyond.

This is the Iran beyond the politics, the familiar headlines and stereotypes…the Iran less known.

Welcoming you to Know Iran.