Journal of History of Iran (IRHJ)
Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University
Mission and Objectives
The Journal of History of Iran (IRHJ) is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal published by Shahid Beheshti University. It is devoted exclusively to the study of Iranian history across all historical periods, from ancient Iran to the contemporary era.
The journal provides an academic forum for the publication of original research that advances historical knowledge through rigorous analysis, critical engagement with primary sources, and innovative theoretical and methodological approaches. IRHJ aims to uphold high standards of historical scholarship, foster scholarly dialogue among researchers in Iran and abroad, and contribute to contemporary historiographical debates on Iranian history.
Distinctive Scholarly Profile
IRHJ occupies a distinctive position among journals devoted to Iranian and Middle Eastern history by facilitating access to original research grounded in Iran's documentary and archival heritage.
A defining characteristic of the journal is its emphasis on studies based on Persian-language primary sources preserved in Iranian archival repositories, including the National Library and Archives of Iran, the Institute for Iranian Contemporary Historical Studies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Archive, provincial archives, and university collections. Many of these materials remain unpublished, only partially catalogued, or difficult to access outside Iran.
Consequently, the journal provides an important venue for disseminating original historical research based on archival evidence that is rarely available in international scholarly publications. Such research includes the analysis of administrative records, diplomatic correspondence, judicial documents, parliamentary proceedings, land registers, and other unpublished historical sources.
The journal also benefits from the linguistic expertise of its editorial board, reviewers, and contributors, whose command of both classical and modern Persian enables rigorous examination of documentary materials, manuscript traditions, and historical terminology that require specialized philological competence.
Bridging Iranian Archives and Global Scholarship
A substantial body of historical evidence relating to Iran remains underrepresented in international historiography because many Persian archival collections have not yet been translated, digitised, or made widely accessible.
IRHJ seeks to bridge this gap by introducing original archival research into international academic discussions. Rather than duplicating the work of existing international journals, the journal complements them by making new Persian-language documentary evidence available to the wider scholarly community and encouraging dialogue between historians working within and outside Iran.
Scope of the Journal
The journal welcomes original research articles employing sound theoretical and methodological approaches in all fields of Iranian history, including but not limited to:
Editorial Priorities
The Editorial Board particularly encourages submissions that:
Priority is given to manuscripts that make original scholarly contributions through new evidence, new interpretations, or innovative methodological approaches.
Contribution to International Scholarship
IRHJ serves as a bridge between Iran's rich documentary heritage and the international community of historians.
By publishing English-language metadata and welcoming submissions from scholars worldwide, the journal aims to enhance the international accessibility of research based on Persian archival sources while upholding the highest standards of historical scholarship, peer review, and academic integrity.
The journal contributes to global historical research by providing access to original evidence and perspectives that remain largely absent from the international indexed literature, thereby enriching comparative and transnational studies of Iran and the broader Middle East.
Journal Information
Established in 2008
Published by the Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University
Published biannually (March and September)
Double-blind peer review
Open Access