Organizations : Iran

The rich culture of the ancient Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian kingdoms of Persia combined with the newly introduced and flourishing Islamic religion from the seventh century AD on to produce a distinctive and unique Iranian amalgamation. As in the past, its art, architecture, literature and political history yet continue to exert influences on surrounding lands and are still vital in today's world. Thus the sites listed below were chosen for their utility in providing accurate narrative (either brief or extensive) information as well as directories and more extensive portal pages concerning not only all aspects of Iranian life and culture but also materials on other countries and peoples of the region . Many of these sites originate within Iran and, as with all the countries of this area, are often not available. We recommend that if you have difficulty in connecting, you try again. From 1979 on, the date of the Iranian Revolution and overthrow of the last Shah's regime, an ever-growing Iranian expatriate community was created around globe. Many of the following websites stem from these older and newer Iranian diasporan communities.

For Library of Congress contact information and materials, consult the Iran Country page http://www.loc.gov/rr/amed/nes/cty/cir/cirhome.html The Library of Congress Online Catalog http://catalog.loc.gov/ and a newly-mounted portal page on International Terrorism http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/hispanic/terrorism/terrorism.html. To track bills and other Congressional materials having to do with the topic consult the Library's Thomas Legislative Information page http://thomas.loc.gov.

Includes non-governmental organizations, associations, institutes (US and abroad).

The Academy of Medical Sciences-Islamic Republic of Iran (http://www.ams.ac.ir/default.htm)
An English language site prepared in Iran which reports on congresses as well as other initiatives it sponsors.

American Iranian Council (http://www.american-iranian.org)
Founded in 1997 and located in Princeton, NJ, the AIC's site provides reports and documents to promote US-Iranian dialog, understanding and cooperation.

The Aryan National Press (http://www.geocities.com/aryannews/about.htm)
‘The (English language) Aryan National Press is the official news agency of the Aryan League of the Islamic Republic of Iran and provides news and other news-related services to the various publications of the Aryan League-IRI and its overseas organization, the Aryan League International'

Foundation for Democracy in Iran (http://www.iran.org)
Based in Bethesda, Maryland, this expatriate society's webpage provides political information about events both in Iran and in the opposition movements in its diaspora.

The Foundation for Iranian Studies (http://www.fis-iran.org)
The Foundation for Iranian Studies, an apolitical and non-profit organization registered in New York and Maryland, ‘is an educational and research institution dedicated to the preservation, study, and transmission of Iran's cultural heritage.' Its web page describes ongoing programs and conferences and provides abstracts and text to its journal, Iran Nameh.

International Committee of the Red Cross (http://www.icrc.org/eng)
A search of this English language version of the ICRC site provides reports on the current humanitarian initiatives of this organization in any given country.

International Institute for Caspian Studies (http://www.caspianstudies.com/E-home.htm)
‘The International Institute for Caspian Studies (IICS) is a non governmental research and consultancy institute based in Tehran and aimed at promoting and undertaking scholarly studies regarding political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and legal issues of the Caspian region.' Its English language site offers newsletters, seminar and program information, links and other services related to its mission.

Iranian Christians International (http://www.farsinet.com/ici/)
English language site of ICI which reports on and describes its activities in ministering to Iranian and Afghan expatriates.

Iranian Human Rights Working Group (http://www.ihrwg.org)
‘An Internet-based community of individuals committed to campaigning for the improvement of human rights in Iran. The group has no political agenda, and makes no judgment on the legitimacy of the authorities in dealing with them, nor does it take the religious or political beliefs or personal attributes of individuals into consideration when it defends their human rights.' Based in the United States, the site offers English language reports on topics concerning human rights in Iran.

Middle East Studies Association (http://w3fp.arizona.edu/mesassoc/)
MESA's website provides news, descriptions of activities, lists of members, dates of conferences and other relevant information concerning this United States-based organizations dedicated to the study of all aspects of the countries, regions and peoples of the Middle East.

Persian Watch Center (http://antidiscrimination.org/open.htm)
‘Persian Watch Center' (PWC), previously ‘Persian Watch Cat' is a merger of ‘American Iranian Anti-Discrimination Center,' ‘Persian Watch Cat', funded in 1997 by Dr. Mollabashy. PWC is a grass-root, NON-political civil liberties organization, run by professionals, not politicians. The goal of PWC is to help Iranians in the US and Iranian Americans.'

The Society of Iranian Studies (http://www.iranian-studies.org)
An international research society of Iranian Studies based in the United States, the SIS's homepage offers conference reports, newsletters and journals in English.

Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran (http://www.daneshjoo.org)
This site offers Farsi and English versions of articles, information about this student movement, and its mission dedicated to the reform and democratization of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

U.S. Committee for Refugees (http://www.refugees.org/index.cfm)
Founded in 1958 to complement the UN's initiative to aid refugees, the USCR's site offers brief and detailed reports on refugee status in and from the various countries of the world.