Minerals
West Asia is home to a lot of minerals, especially rare ones. In the middle of it sits Iran.
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Does Iran consist of only crude oil resources? List of rare-earth minerals found
The war in West Asia has been going on for more than a month now impacting the fuel availability around the world. Many wonder if Iran is only home to fuel. Here's what other minerals the country is home to
By Hritika Mitra | Updated: April 2, 2026 9:41 AM IST
War with US, Israel
The country is currently in the middle of a war with the US and Israel, leading to a shortage of crude oil due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Uranium
Iran is not just home to crude oil but also other minerals, including uranium, lithium, and rare-earth minerals.
Zinc
The country ranks sixth in zinc reserves, seventh in copper reserves, and ninth in iron ore reserves. Iran also ranks among the top five in gypsum and barite production.
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lanthanum
Now, Iran is focusing on using minerals like cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and yttrium. These elements are used in smartphones, electric vehicles, solar panels, and defense equipment.
lithium
Iran also has vast lithium reserves that were discovered in Hamadan Province in 2023. The element is used in electric vehicle batteries.
Batteries
Iran also has massive reserves of uranium, which is used in its nuclear programme and energy needs.
Rare minerals
Thus, the country is not only an exporter of oil but has several rare minerals as well. This can help the country develop a new identity for itself.