Europe Capitals Quiz
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🇮🇷 Iran
Capital: Tehran
Tehran – Iran’s capital at the southern foot of the Alborz Mountains.
Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran. Located south of the Alborz Mountains, it became the national capital under Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar in 1786 and later expanded into the country’s main political, administrative, financial, and cultural center. The city contains Qajar-era palaces, major museums, government institutions, universities, commercial districts, and a large metropolitan transport network.
đź“ś Timeline of Tehran
12th century: The earliest surviving written references specifically describing the locality of Tehran date from this period, although settlement in the area is older.
1786: Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar chose Tehran as his capital during the rise of the Qajar dynasty.
1906: Tehran became a major center of events surrounding Iran’s Constitutional Revolution and the establishment of a constitutional system.
1971: The monument now known as Azadi Tower opened as Shahyad Tower.
February 2026: War involving Iran, the United States, and Israel began after strikes on Iran, placing new pressure on national infrastructure, trade, energy flows, and the wider economy.
August 2026: Tehran remained Iran’s capital and seat of government while the conflict continued. War damage, trade disruption, inflation, currency weakness, and pressure on public and industrial infrastructure continued to affect conditions across the country.
đź“Š Quick Stats
Historical Record
Written references to Tehran date back to the medieval period
Language
Persian (Farsi)
Currency
Iranian Rial (IRR)
Geography
Northern Iran, south of the Alborz Mountains
Time Zone
Iran Standard Time (IRST), UTC+3:30
Used year-round; Iran no longer observes daylight saving time.
Calling Code
+98
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
🏛️ Iconic Landmarks
Golestan Palace
A UNESCO World Heritage Site containing buildings, gardens, tilework, mirrorwork, and decorative interiors associated particularly with the Qajar period.
Azadi Tower
A prominent Tehran landmark opened in 1971. Originally named Shahyad Tower, it was renamed Azadi Tower after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
National Museum of Iran
Iran’s national archaeological museum complex, with collections covering prehistoric periods, ancient Iranian civilizations, and later historical eras.
2026 Conflict and Recovery Context
The war that began in late February 2026 changed the immediate context in which Tehran functions as the national capital. By August, hostilities and attempts to reach a lasting settlement were still unresolved. Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz also affected shipping, oil flows, imports, and regional trade.
Inside Iran, the conflict added to existing economic pressures. Infrastructure damage, reduced industrial activity, disrupted trade, high inflation, currency depreciation, and weaker government revenues affected the wider economy. These conditions also influence Tehran because it contains central government institutions, major businesses, financial activity, universities, hospitals, and national transport connections.
The situation remains fluid, so wartime economic figures and damage assessments can change as new information becomes available. Tehran continues to serve as Iran’s constitutional and administrative capital throughout the conflict.
Tehran remains Iran’s seat of national government and its largest urban center. Its present role combines administrative institutions, commerce, education, transport, museums, and historic sites while the country continues to deal with the effects of the 2026 conflict.
