What animals live in Iran?

Iran is a big country with deserts, mountains, and forests — and that means a wide range of animals call it home! Persian leopards prowl the Alborz Mountains, and the rare Asiatic cheetah, one of the fastest land animals alive, still survives in Iran's central desert. You can also spot wild Persian fallow deer, brown bears, and even wolves roaming the rugged landscapes. The rivers and wetlands of Iran are home to otters and dozens of bird species, including flamingos that wade through the saltwater lakes. The Persian Gulf coastline brings sea turtles and colorful fish into the picture too. God designed a remarkable variety of creatures to live across this land — and the same God who made all those animals loves the Persian people deeply and wants them to know His Son, Jesus.

What do kids eat in Iran?

Iranian kids grow up eating some really delicious food! One favorite is rice cooked with a golden crust on the bottom called 'tahdig' — families actually fight over that crispy part. They also eat a lot of fresh flatbread called 'nan' that bakers make in big clay ovens every morning. Stews called 'khoresh' are a big deal in Iran — they're thick, rich, and often made with ingredients you might not expect, like pomegranate or dried limes. Kids snack on fresh herbs, walnuts, and feta cheese the way some kids snack on chips. Pomegranates and saffron show up in so many dishes that their smell and color are just part of everyday life there.

How do people say hello in Iran?

In Iran, most people speak a language called Persian, which is also called Farsi. The most common greeting is 'Salaam' — it means 'peace be with you' and sounds like sah-LAHM. People there use it the same way we use 'hello' every day. A more formal greeting you might hear is 'Dorud,' which is an older Persian way of saying hello. Iranians are known for being very warm and polite hosts — there is even a whole tradition called 'ta'arof' where people show great respect and courtesy to guests. It is a reminder that God wired people everywhere to value kindness, even if many in Iran have not yet heard about the source of true peace, Jesus Himself.

What sports or games do kids play in Iran?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Iran love football — what we call soccer — more than almost anything else. You'll find boys especially kicking a ball around in alleys, courtyards, and dusty fields all across the country. Wrestling is also a huge deal in Iran; it's one of the oldest sports in Persian history, and Iranian wrestlers have won Olympic medals. Rusty wants to add that kids in Iran also play a traditional game called 'Alaak Dolak,' which is a bit like stickball — you hit a small stick with a bigger one and try to send it flying as far as you can. Volleyball is popular too, especially in parks on warm evenings. And just like kids everywhere, many Iranian children enjoy board games and chess at home with their families. Even across a world of differences, the joy of play is something God wove into kids everywhere.

What's the weather like in Iran?

Iran has some really varied weather — it is not just one kind of place! The middle of the country is mostly hot, dry desert where summers can reach scorching temperatures and rainfall is very scarce. But the mountains in the north and west get cold winters with heavy snow. Along the Caspian Sea in the north, the weather is actually quite humid and green — almost like a rainforest compared to the rest of Iran. So depending on where you stand in Iran, you might be sweating in the sand or bundled up in a wool coat. The people who live there have learned to build their homes, grow their food, and live their daily lives — including their faith — in all of these very different places.

Tell me a fun fact about Iran.

Herman here, with Rusty peering over my shoulder! Iran is home to one of the oldest civilizations on earth — people have been living there for more than 7,000 years. The ancient Persian Empire, ruled by kings like Cyrus the Great, once stretched from Egypt all the way to India. You can actually read about Cyrus in the Bible, in the book of Ezra! Rusty wants to add this: Iran grows more saffron than almost any other country in the world. Saffron comes from a tiny purple flower, and it takes about 75,000 flowers just to make one pound of it — which is why it is one of the most expensive spices on the planet. Iranians use it to flavor rice, stews, and sweets that have been cooked the same way for hundreds and hundreds of years.

What is school like for kids in Iran?

In Iran, children start school around age 6, and going to school is required by law through middle school. Classes are taught in Farsi, which is the main language of Iran. Boys and girls go to separate schools, and the school week runs Saturday through Wednesday — so their weekend days are Thursday and Friday instead of Saturday and Sunday like many kids in other countries. Iranian students study subjects like math, science, history, and literature, just like kids in many places. But their textbooks and lessons are shaped by the government's Islamic rules, which means learning about Jesus and the Bible is not allowed in school. In fact, Christians in Iran can face real trouble just for talking about their faith. That's one reason missionaries and local believers work quietly and carefully to share the gospel — and why we can pray that Iranian children and families would somehow hear about Jesus and find true hope in Him.

Who are the unreached people in Iran?

Great question! Iran is home to many different people groups, and several of them have little to no access to the gospel of Jesus. The Persians are the largest group — about 60 million people — and while some have heard of Jesus, most have never had a real chance to hear and understand the good news. There are also groups like the Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, Baloch, and Gilaki, many of whom have very few Christians among them and almost no churches in their own language. Being a Christian in Iran is very hard and can even be dangerous, so most Iranians grow up knowing only Islam. But here is something remarkable — right now, more Iranians are coming to faith in Jesus than at almost any other time in history, often through dreams, radio broadcasts, and secret house churches. God is at work in Iran even in the difficult places, and missionaries and local believers are risking a great deal to make sure these unreached people groups can hear about Jesus.

How can I pray for the people of Iran?

Iran is a country where most people are Muslim, and it can be very dangerous to follow Jesus there. Christians in Iran often have to meet in secret, and some have been put in prison just for believing in Jesus. But here is the thing — God is at work in Iran, and more Iranians are coming to faith in Jesus than at any time in history. Here are some good things to pray for: that Iranians who have never heard the true gospel would hear it and trust Jesus as their Savior. Pray for the brave secret churches to grow strong and faithful. Pray for Christians who are in prison right now — that God would protect them and give them courage. And pray that Iranian Christian leaders would rise up to tell their own people about Jesus, because God loves every person in Iran deeply.

What is a holiday or celebration in Iran?

One of the biggest celebrations in Iran is Nowruz, which means 'New Day' in the Persian language. It marks the Persian New Year and falls on the first day of spring, usually around March 20th. Families set up a special table called a 'haft-seen' with seven symbolic items, share meals together, and visit relatives for about two weeks. Most people in Iran are Muslim, so the country also observes Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr, which comes at the end of Ramadan — a month of fasting. Here is something worth knowing: even with all these celebrations, many people in Iran have never heard the true good news about Jesus. There are Iranian Christians who quietly and bravely follow Jesus, sometimes at great risk. We can pray that more families in Iran would come to know Jesus as Savior, and that those who already trust Him would grow strong in their faith.

What language do people speak in Iran?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! The main language of Iran is called Persian, and Iranians have another name for it: Farsi. It is written in a beautiful flowing script that goes from right to left across the page, which is the opposite direction from English. Rusty wants you to know that Iran is actually home to several other languages too, like Azerbaijani, Kurdish, and Arabic, spoken by different groups of people across the country. This matters a lot for missions work — because everyone deserves to hear about Jesus in the language that speaks deepest to their heart. Some Iranians do not yet have the full Bible in their own heart language, which is one reason missionaries and translators work so hard there.

What's a famous place to visit in Iran?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Iran is the ancient city of Persepolis. It was built thousands of years ago by Persian kings, and even though it is mostly ruins now, the giant carved stone columns and carvings of soldiers and animals are extraordinary. People travel from all over the world just to stand there and look up at what remains. Rusty wants to add that Iran is also home to Isfahan, a city with beautiful tiled mosques and grand archways that have stood for hundreds of years. The craftsmanship is truly striking — Persian artists put incredible detail into the patterns of blue and gold tiles. It is a good reminder that the people of Iran have a rich and deep history, and they are people God loves and wants to know Him through Jesus.

Iran — Kids Missions Explorer

Persian Leopard

The Persian leopard is the largest leopard subspecies in the world and still roams the rugged Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges of Iran.

Caspian Seal

The Caspian seal lives only in the Caspian Sea, which borders northern Iran, making it one of the world's rarest seals found in a landlocked body of water.

Ghormeh Sabzi

This deeply savory herb and kidney-bean stew, often served over fluffy saffron rice, is considered by many Iranians to be their national dish.

Barbari Bread

Barbari is a thick, oval flatbread with a crisp golden crust that Iranians often eat fresh from the bakery in the morning with cheese and walnuts.

Saffron Ice Cream

Called bastani, this Persian ice cream is flavored with real saffron and rose water and sometimes has chewy bits of frozen cream folded inside.

Iran

Things you should know about Iran

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Iran

Missions in Iran

Pray for Iran