Iran, a country with a story as old as human civilization and abundant history, has been getting quite a bit of media attention these days.

Behind the political turmoil that is currently plaguing the country hides an image of a place filled with historic landmarks and friendly people. Ironically, Iran has seen a huge tourism increase in 2019.

The Middle East is a volatile region and Iran lies right at the center of it. Social changes are an everyday reality for those who live there. Since the 1950s, the country has been changing together with the international relations it has with the world’s superpowers.

Just how much the country has changed in the last 30 years can be seen from the photos we collected below.

20 Father And Son Time

This photograph captures an average, universal moment in a family’s life: a father and son, sharing a bottle of Coca-Cola. In the case of Iran, there is also another element on the table. Check out how '90s the kid’s Ninja Turtles sweater is!

Today’s families are even more universal than they used to be. Taking a family selfie is a must when spending some quality time and it is no different in Iran. People of Iran highly value their families, so it makes total sense they want to capture such moments on camera.

18 The Devastating Earthquake Of 1990

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit northern Iran in 1990. The consequences were devastating, leaving behind a death toll of approximately 50,000. It caught everyone off guard: it happened during the night when most people were asleep. It turned buildings into rubble. Iran luckily received much needed international help.

17 Earthquakes Frequently Hit The Area

Earthquakes are common in Iran. There were already two earthquakes in 2020. They hit close to the nuclear plant in the southwestern part of the country. There is so much tectonic activity going on under the Iranian soil that an earthquake could happen almost any given day.

16 Iranian Women Can Finally Come To Football Matches

As of 2019, Iranian women get to go see live football matches again. For 40 years, Iranian women were banned from such events. Tickets for the Iran vs Cambodia match were sold out within minutes. That makes complete sense, considering only 5% of the seats were assigned to women.

15 The Timeless And Colorful Bazaars Didn't Change Much

Bazaars in Iran are not like other markets. While Asian markets might be overly tourist-oriented, Iran’s markets are filled with locals selling both local and international goodies. It is a place where people meet, catch up, and mingle. For most of us, such places are a thing of the past.

14 Azadi Square: The Centerpiece of Tehran

Azadi Tower sure looked futuristic in the 1990s. Built in the seventies, this tower is the number one Tehran landmark. The name translates to “Freedom Tower” in English. Surrounding the tower is a green park and a huge roundabout, as you can see on the left photo above.

13 An Adorable Family Portrait From 1993

Iran has unique laws and traditions. All girls over the age of 9 have to wear a hijab when in public. After marrying, girls are not allowed to attend school anymore. But on the other hand, Iran allows certain medical procedures that other countries don't support, and they are sometimes funded by the state.

12 The Few Travelers Tell Tales About Warmth Of The Local People

Iran is not a destination that rookie travelers choose to visit. If nothing else, visiting Iran comes with travel restrictions from the US. Those who choose to visit nonetheless, cannot stop raving about the friendliness and warmth of the local people. The photo above says a million words.

11 Tehran Has Long Been A City Of Heavy Traffic

30 years ago, different cars drove down the Iranian streets, but the traffic is just as heavy now as it used to be back then. The congestion is said to be just as bad as in cities notorious for their traffic jams, such as London and LA.

10 The Shah Mosque In Isfahan Dates Back To The 17th Century

Isfahan is one of Iran’s most picturesque cities, thanks to the magnificent Shah mosque, which is said by many to be the most beautiful one in the country. It dates back to the 17th century and it is beautifully preserved, as you can see from the photos above.

9 Chehel Sotoun Palace Translates To 40 Columns

Chehel Sotoun Palace is another gem in the city of Isfahan and it made it to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list. The details of the palace’s architecture can keep a spectator busy all day. There is a pool in front, which reflects the whole palace.

8 A Moment On The Road From The '90s

Another blast from the past: this photo from the nineties shows a random scene, taken from the road while traveling. A man is selling some produce and there are small markets in the background. It makes us wonder if these kinds of places still exist.

7 Showing Off Their Sweet Wheels

Motorcycles are a popular means of transportation in Iran both for locals and for tourists. Adventurous people often venture through Iran on their way of driving the Silk Road, an ancient trading route that stretched from China all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.

6 Masuleh: A Picturesque Village In Northern Iran

This charming village sits on the slope of the mountain and the architecture works around that fact. Rooftops are synonymous to courtyards and the numerous stairs lead to beautiful views. Masuleh is made for pedestrians and all those who appreciate good photography.

5 Qom Is One Of Iran's Holiest Cities

Qom is a city of tradition, knowledge, and respect with a population of one million people. It is a city for those who choose to study religion and for pilgrims. Just like any other Iranian city, it has a market, a mosque, and a plaza.

The fashion or should we say, rules about what may women wear, have been changing quite fast in Iran. The biggest blow for freedom of expression was the 1979 Iranian revolution which enforced the hijab again. But at least modern hijabs come in vibrant colors.

3 The Children In Iran Are Always Smiling

Boys and girls of Iran go to school separately up until university. Girls are taught by women and boys by men. Learning about Islam is part of the curriculum and football is the most popular sport. Girls can get married when they are 13 and boys when they are 15.

2 The Iran-Pakistan Border Is A Tense Place

Borders can be tricky. The relations between Pakistan and Iran are not exactly friendly, but they are far from being hostile. When Pakistan announced independence in 1947, Iran was the first to officially recognize their neighbor. After the Iranian revolution in 1979, the nature of their relations changed.

1 What Does The Future Hold?

The Middle East is a region where there seems to be no end to conflicts. The left photo above shows refugees in the nineties, innocent people whose lives are directed by complicated politics. The tensions sadly persist today, especially since the passing of the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.