-"Iran is one of the oil suppliers to Korea, and would like to keep playing its role as a long-lasting reliable energy supplier to Korea"
I wish to thank the esteemed Seoul City Magazine for giving me this opportunity to
address its respected readers on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the Islamic
Revolution of Iran that falls on 11th of February.
Iran Amb. Hassan Taherian |
The national day in Iran is celebrated on11th of February every year to mark the
victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The Islamic Revolution emerged victorious
under the wise leadership of Imam Khomeini with massive and popular support and
backing of the people. The day marks events involving the overthrow of the Pahlavi
Dynasty under Mohammad Reza Shah, who was supported by the foreign powers
and used the secret police, the Savak, to control the country by dictatorship.
Demonstrations against the Shah commenced in Oct. 1977, developing to civil
resistance that include all strata of the society. The main slogan of the people was
freedom, independence and Islamic Republic. The Shah was forced to flee from the
country on January 16, 1979 as the last Persian monarch and then Ayatollah
Khomeini returned back from exile to Tehran to a greeting by several millions
Iranians. The royal absolute reign collapsed shortly on February 11 and the people
celebrated the victory of their own Islamic Revolution on the same day.
Shortly after the victory of revolution, the people in a national referendum on
March 30 and 31, 1979, voted by a large margin to select the system of the
government and Iran officially became an Islamic Republic.
Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Affairs
Masouleh |
The Islamic Republic of Iran is like a bridge in the heart of the region linking the
Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, as well as the east and the west Asia together.
Therefore, its security and stability can have undeniable effect on the entire unstable
Middle East region and west Asia. That’s why peaceful coexistence, promotion of bilateral relations and extensive regional
and international cooperation are seriously pursued in Iran’s foreign policy. To this end, the strategic decisions have been adopted by the
Islamic Republic of Iran to defuse regional crises and to make humanitarian
assistances in some regional crises like Syria and Yemen. Full positive participation
in the peace process negotiation for Syria is among top agenda of the current
foreign policy of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iran has established constructive and active relations with most countries around
the world in different continents and is an active member of various international
and regional institutions. United Nations, Organization of the Islamic Conference,
Non-Aligned Movement, ADC, Shanghai Group, D8 , ECO among the others.
Bilateral Relationship
Over 54 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relationship
between the two countries has been friendly, and based on mutual trust, and
respect. Iranian officials have always held a positive view about South Korea. There
is no impediment to the expansion of cooperation between the two countries. Over
past few years, and at the political level, we've had high ranking reciprocal visits.
Parliamentary officials of the two countries have made several trips to each other
countries. Economic co-operation has always been one of the main features of bilateral relations, and
Korean companies have been involved in a wide range of construction, and
development projects in Iran, and Korean goods and products are popular in Iran
and have their own many fans in the country. Meanwhile, Iran is one of the oil
suppliers to Korea, and would like to keep playing its role as a long-lasting reliable energy supplier to Korea. On balance, the bilateral relations remain
good, friendly, and progressing.
NaghshJahan |
Tourist Attractions of Iran
Iran is an incredible place to visit. If for no other reason than its continuous history
of some 7000 years, it would be well worth seeing for its diversity of landscapes,
monuments, customs and lifestyles that make Iran attractive in all seasons. There are
one million historical sites in Iran. It is obvious that even the most interesting of
these can be visited only by making numerous trips to the country. These trips are
all the more pleasant because visitors to Iran never leave it without memories of its
wonderful hospitable people. Iran has seen an increase in the number of annual
visitors over the past few years and the recent lifting of economic sanctions is sure
to attract even more. Home to one of the oldest civilizations, Iran has no shortage
of sites to see. When it comes to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it boasts an
impressive 19 registered cultural sites. Palaces, bazaars, places of worship, ancient
water systems and remnants of the great Persian Empire dominate this list.