From the Original Overview at the Air Force Air University, http://tuvok.au.af.mil/au/database/projects/ay1995/acsc/95-002/chap3/iranovr.htm
MILNET Note: The United States has designated this country for sanctions under
Federal regulation (Export Administration Act), due to the provisions
of
Executive Order 12947
which prohibits transactions and places sanctions
on countries who either sponser terrorism or willfully interfere with the
MidEast Peace Process.
Chapter 3: Persian Gulf, Arabian Peninsula
Iran: Overview
Facts
/ Geography, Climate / Cities
/ Posture Statement Excerpt
Leadership
/ System Essentials / Infrastructure
/ Population / Fielded Forces
/ Table of Contents
/ MILNET Brief
Iran has a rugged, mountainous rim which rings a large central plateau which is at about 4000 ft in elevation. Principle terrain features the Elbruz Mountains to the north, the Zagros Mountains to the west, and the central deserts of Dash-i-Lut (sand-covered) and Dasht-i-kavir (salt-covered). The country's largest river is the Karun River, flowing from the Zagros Mountains into the Shatt al-Arab waterway.
Three climatic zones exist in Iran: the frigid highlands of the Elbruz Mountains, the arid but temperate central highland, and the extremely hot Persian Gulf/Gulf of Oman coast. Precipitation levels vary from almost nil in the deserts (5 in per yr) to moderate along the Caspian Sea (50 in per yr).
Iran dominates the Strait of Hormuz and the entire north shore of the Arabian Gulf, and possesses the ability to threaten Gulf oil transit routes. It is, by virtue of its culture, population, and geostrategic position, an important player in the Central Region. Additionally, its border with Central Asia and the Transcaucasus provides the access necessary for Iran to expand its influence with the emerging nations of this region in direct competition with the Turks and Russians.
Iran's hostility towards the United States, combined with its proximity to our interests in the Gulf, its growing military might, economic potential, and demographic composition make Iran the greatest long-term threat to U.S. interests and allies in the region. The United States is the focal point for a bellicose campaign against what the Mullahs consider to be the polluting influence of Western culture and thought. Iran's ethno-centric national ego and self-image as the champion of Islam, compel it to seek a return to its historic position as the regional hegemonic power. To this end, it systematically opposes U.S. objectives (actively campaigning against Gulf security arrangements), and undermines the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Accords through its surrogate forces in Palestine. The reintroduction of U.S. forces into Kuwait in October 1994, and the visible GCC security cooperation have limited Iran's activities to consolidating its position in such already occupied areas as Abu Musa and the Tunbs, rather than pressing any new land or sea claims in the Gulf region.