The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations. It is the largest, most familiar, most internationally represented and most powerful intergovernmental organization in the world. The UN is headquartered on international territory in New York City, with its other main offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna and The Hague.

Iran is a founder member of the United Nations (UN) and joined in 1945. Only 51 of the current 193 countries in the world can claim that honour. Today the Islamic Republic of Iran is an active partner in the work of the UN and its funds, programmes and specialized agencies.

Today there are 18 UN agencies, funds and programmes working on the ground in Iran. There are approximately 400 staff members (90 per cent of whom are local) work in duty stations in different parts of Iran with most being based in Tehran.