Since winning eight gold medals at Busan 2002, Iran has increased its total at every subsequent Games.

They won 11 golds at Doha 2006, 20 at Guangzhou 2010 and 21 at Incheon 2014. 

"Iran has improved a lot in the previous editions," Chef de Mission for Jakarta Palembang 2018 Nasrollah Sajjadi told The Tehran Times. 

"The Iranian delegation came 10th in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan with a total 36 medals. 

"Iran finished in sixth place in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, winning 48 medals. 

"We came fourth in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou with 59 medals and finished in fifth place in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, winning 57 medals."

Sajjadi added: "There is still room for improvement but the countries, namely Kazakhstan, India, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Chinese Taipei have also improved in the recent years. 

"We should consider the fact that hosts Indonesia are eying their best ever place in this edition. 

"They want to finish the Games in the fourth place.  

"We know that China and Japan will definitely win the first and second places and the other countries try to finish in the best place. 

"Our preparations have been going well and we hope to finish in fourth place."

More than 10,000 athletes from 45 countries are expected to compete in 462 events in 40 sports at Jakarta Palembang 2018, due to take place from August 18 to September 2. 

"First, we have to announce our final list for the Games and then we can talk about the medals," Sajjadi said.