GENERAL
Official name of the state
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Capital
Tehran.
Geography
According to a2zgov, Iran borders Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea to the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south, and Iraq and Turkey to the west. The east and the center of the country consist largely of barren desert, which is loosened up by qanats (irrigation canals) and oases. The predominant steppe, which is about 1000 m high, is crossed by various mountain ranges such as the Zagros Mountains. The landscape on the western border is also mountainous. In the north, the Elburs Mountains rise steeply from the fertile region of the Caspian Sea. The 5671 m high Damavand mountain is an extinct volcano and the highest point in Iran.
Government
Islamic presidential republic since 1979. Constitution from 1979 with amendments from 1989. 12-member Constitutional Council (Guardian Council) since 1989 as a control body for the conformity of laws with Islamic law (Sharia). Parliament with 290 members. The president is appointed for an indefinite period of time. The state history of Iran is over 2,500 years old.
Head of state
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Musavi Khamene’i, Supreme Leader since 1989. Hassan Rouhani, President since August 2013.
Head of government
Hassan Ruhani, since 2013.
Electricity
230 V, 50 Hz. No adapter required.
Time zone
Iran Standard Time: CET +4: 30 (CET +5: 30 from March 21 to September 21, 2017)
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business people usually speak English. If the business traveler is a woman, this should be clear from previous correspondence. Business cards are only exchanged between executives. Prior appointments and punctuality are expected.
Opening hours
Business hours: Sat-Wed 8 a.m.-4 p.m., some offices also Thurs 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Economy
Commercial department of the Iranian Embassy
Podbielskiallee 65-67, D-14195 Berlin
Tel: (030) 84 35 34 55.
German-Iranian Chamber of Commerce e. V.
Mexikoring 29, D-22297 Hamburg
Tel: (040) 44 08 47.
Internet: www.dihkev.de
Commercial Department of the Iranian Embassy
Jaurèsgasse 9, A-1030 Vienna
Tel: (01) 712 26 57-214 / -215 / -216.
Commercial department of the Iranian Embassy
Thunstraße 68, CH-3006 Bern
Tel: (031) 351 08 01/02.
Irano-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Navak St. no.7, 1st, 4th + 5th Floor, IR-1518643111 Tehran
Tel: (021) 81 33 10 00.
Internet: www.dihk-ir.com
Export Promotion Center
PO Box 1148, Tadjrish, Dr Chamran Highway, IR-Tehran
Tel: (021) 2 19 11.
Internet: www.iran-export.com
Business contacts
Commercial department of the Iranian Embassy
Podbielskiallee 65-67, D-14195 Berlin
Tel: (030) 84 35 34 55.
German-Iranian Chamber of Commerce e. V.
Mexikoring 29, D-22297 Hamburg
Tel: (040) 44 08 47.
Internet: www.dihkev.de
Commercial Department of the Iranian Embassy
Jaurèsgasse 9, A-1030 Vienna
Tel: (01) 712 26 57-214 / -215 / -216.
Commercial department of the Iranian Embassy
Thunstraße 68, CH-3006 Bern
Tel: (031) 351 08 01/02.
Irano-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Navak St. no.7, 1st, 4th + 5th Floor, IR-1518643111 Tehran
Tel: (021) 81 33 10 00.
Internet: www.dihk-ir.com
Export Promotion Center
PO Box 1148, Tadjrish, Dr Chamran Highway, IR-Tehran
Tel: (021) 2 19 11.
Internet: www.iran-export.com
COMMUNICATION
Phone
The country code is 0098 and the area code for Tehran is 21. Telephone boxes are yellow. Mobile telephony has long overtaken landline telephones in Iran.
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800. Network operators include TKC (Internet: www.tkckish.com) and Mobile Cell Iran (Internet: www.mci.ir). International roaming contracts exist. Prepaid cards can be bought at kiosks or in small shops and making phone calls is very cheap.
Internet
There are internet cafes in Tehran and in other cities as well as in some villages. Some pages are not working or are censored.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes at least two weeks. There are 10 main post offices in Tehran. Mailboxes are yellow. Stamps can also be purchased at some kiosks. Post offices opening times: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, post offices in smaller towns close earlier.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
CULTURE
Religion
Mostly Islam (89% Shiites, 9% Sunnis); Christian, Jewish, Mandaean and Parsian minorities.
Social rules of conduct
Manners: The laws of the Koran determine daily life. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited. In Iran, only people of the same sex shake hands in greeting. Visitors should address hosts by last name or title. Iranians are very hospitable. Invitations to tea are common and guests are expected not to turn them down. According to Islamic customs, clothing should be restrained, which is particularly important for women – headscarves, long skirts or wide trousers and a non-fitted coat belong in the luggage. Sandals or clothing with a neckline should not be worn. Long-sleeved outerwear should be worn in religious places (mosques etc.). Formal wear is appropriate in good restaurants and on special occasions. During Ramadan are smoking, Eating and drinking in public is prohibited during the day; in larger hotels, guests are also catered for during Ramadan during the day. Contact between unmarried people is prohibited, and adultery can be punished with the death penalty.
Photographing: Photographing military or public facilities is strictly prohibited. These are not always easy to spot. Particular caution and restraint is also required when photographing people.
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in public, closed spaces such as hotels, restaurants, tea and coffee houses, etc. Drivers are also prohibited from smoking while driving.
Tipping: In hotels and restaurants (chelokababis) there is a 10-15% service surcharge, but tips should be given.
