The Islamic Republic of Iran, a resource-rich and labor-rich country in the Middle East, is a  central focus of U.S. national security policy. The United States asserts that Iran is a state sponsor  of terrorism and that Iran’s uranium enrichment activities are for the development of nuclear 
weapons. To the extent that U.S. sanctions and other efforts to change Iranian state policy target aspects of Iran’s economy as a means of influence, it is important to evaluate Iran’s economic structure, strengths, and vulnerabilities.