The Persian windmills of Nashtifan, located in northeastern Iran, are among the oldest in the world, dating back over 1,000 years to ancient Persian times. These vertical-axis windmills are made from clay, straw, and wood, standing up to 65 feet tall. They harness the region's strong winds to grind grain into flour using a direct drive system without intermediary gears.

The windmills are positioned along a high earthen wall that not only supports them but also channels the wind effectively. Despite their age, some remain operational today, maintained by local custodian Ali Muhammed Etebari. In 2002, they were registered as a national heritage site by Iran's Cultural Heritage Department.

Persian vertical-axis windmills are often described as among the earliest recorded windmill designs. Historical accounts place windmills in the Persian region of Sistan by around the 9th century; the precise date when the technology was first invented is uncertain. The surviving Nashtifan mills are estimated to be centuries old—often described as roughly 1,000 years old—but that estimate should not be treated as an exact construction date for every mill.

Nashtifan preserves a rare group of traditional windmills that have continued to be maintained and, in some cases, used. The town’s name is commonly linked to its powerful winds, and the mills are an example of how people adapted local architecture and technology to their environment. Iran recognized the windmills as a national heritage site in 2002. Their continued survival depends on maintenance and preservation.