About Tehran:
Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran, located at the foot of the majestic Alborz Mountains in north-central Iran. Tehran became Iran’s capital in 1786 under the Qajar dynasty and has evolved into a bustling metropolis. With a city population of around 9 million and a metropolitan area exceeding 15 million, it’s the most populous city in Iran and Western Asia as well as the center of its governmental offices.
The current economic and political climate in Tehran: As of January 2026, Tehran faced significant challenges. The country saw nationwide protests (something not seen previously), sparked in late December 2025 by economic hardships—including soaring inflation, a plummeting rial (recently hitting record lows around 1.4-1.5 million rials to the U.S. dollar). Tehran has also grappled with a severe water crisis in recent months due to drought, low reservoir levels, and mismanagement, though recent rains provided some relief.
As of early 2026, protests erupted in several major locations including anti-government slogans, with some calling for regime change..unheard of in recent years. The government has responded with massacres and summary executions, with an estimated death toll between 7,000 and 36,000 (Naturally, exact numbers are hard to co.me by). The government also gave some limited concessions like small stipends….but it was too little, too late.
The air attacks from the U.S. in Febraary 2026 has destroyed much of Iran’s military resources (as well as its intelligence apparatus) and resulted in the death of Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Khomeini.
With Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran, waiting in the background, it will be an interesting year.
Catholic places of interest in Tehran:
Cathedral of the Consolata: Masses held in several languages (Latin Rite).
Tehran has several other significant Catholic sites, including Saint Joseph’s Church (Chaldean Catholic) and the Church of the Virgin Mary (Santa Maria), sometimes referred to as The Italian Hospital Church, an Armenian Catholic church built by Nikolai Markof around 1945.