LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Iran
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The Jewish community of Persia, modern-day Iran, is one of the oldest in the Diaspora, and its historical roots reach back to the 6th century B.C.E., the time of the First Temple. Their history in the pre-Islamic period is intertwined with that of the Jews of neighboring Babylon. Cyrus, the first of the Archemid dynasty, conquered Babylon in 539 B.C.E. and permitted the Jewish exiles to return to the Land of Israel, bringing the First Exile to an end. The Jewish colonies were scattered from centers in Babylon to Persian provinces and cities such as Hamadan and Susa. The books of Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel give a favorable description of the relationship of the Jews to the court of the Achaemids at Susa.
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Iran, formerly Persia, is the land where the Three Wise men are believed to have lived when Jesus was born. Today Christians in Iran begin fasting from animal products on December 1. This is called "Little Fast." "Big Fast" occurs during Lent, the six weeks preceding Easter. After Church service of December 25 they enjoy Christmas dinner which they call "Little Feast." A traditional dish is a chicken stew called harasa.
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Iran has 30 provinces managed by an appointed governor general. The provinces are further divided into counties, districts, and villages. Sixty percent of eligible voters took part in the first ever municipal and local council elections in 1999, though a lower percentage went to the polls in the second round in 2003. Turnout during the December 15, 2006 elections, during which citizens ... elected Assembly of Expert representatives, was over 60%. The local councils select mayors.
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All Iranian nationals, including U.S.-Iranian dual nationals, must have an exit permit stamped in their Iranian passports in order to depart Iran. The stamp is affixed to page 11 or 13 of the Iranian passport when it is issued and remains valid until the expiration date of the passport. All Iranian nationals residing abroad, including U.S.-Iranian dual nationals, are now required to pay an exit tax regardless of the duration of their stay in Iran, and are no longer exempted. Iranian nationals residing abroad are exempted from paying exit taxes if their stay in Iran does not exceed four months. All Iranian nationals living permanently in Iran are required to pay the exit tax upon departing Iran. More specific information on Iranian passport and exit visa requirements may be obtained from the Iranian Interests Section of the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C.
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On 1 August 2005, Iran notified the IAEA of its decision to resume uranium conversion activities at its conversion facility at Esfahan. This decision to resume uranium conversion was seen as a breach of the November 2004 Paris Agreement that viewed Iran’s suspension of all uranium-related activities as a prerequisite for dialogue. This notification by Iran was followed by the IAEA Director General’s report to the Board of Governors in September 2005, confirming Iran’s resumption of uranium activities and describing new findings. The findings were in two major areas, one related to the origin of the low enriched uranium and highly-enriched uranium contamination found at various locations in Iran and the second, related to the issue of the P-1 and P-2 centrifuge program. The Director General’s report in September 2005 ... used strong language, urging Iran to adopt greater transparency measures vis-à-vis their nuclear program. On 24 September 2005, the IAEA passed a resolution finding Iran in non-compliance as opposed to previous resolutions that merely affirmed a breach in obligations.
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Iran immediately began rebuilding the nation's economy, especially its oil industry. Tensions ... eased at that time with neighboring Afghanistan, as Soviet troops there began withdrawal (completed in 1989), after a presence of nearly 10 years. During the Soviet occupation, Iran had become host to nearly 3 million Afghan refugees. Khomeini died in 1989 and was succeeded by Iran's president, Sayid Ali Khamenei. The presidency was soon filled by Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, who sought improved relations and financial aid with Western nations while somewhat diminishing the influence of fundamentalist and revolutionary factions and embarking on a military buildup. A major earthquake hit N Iran on June 21, 1990, killing nearly 40,000 people.
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