IranAssyrians

Iranian Assyrians are an ethnoreligious minority in Iran who belong to the broader Assyrian people. They have a long-standing presence in Iranian lands and maintain distinct linguistic, religious, and cultural traditions linked to the historic Assyrian homeland in northern Mesopotamia.

Language and religion: The community’s liturgical language is Assyrian Neo-Aramaic (Suret). In daily life, Persian is widely spoken, and some communities use Turkish or Kurdish in local contexts. The majority of Iranian Assyrians belong to the Assyrian Church of the East, the Chaldean Catholic Church, or the Syriac Orthodox Church, with smaller numbers in other Syriac denominations and Protestant groups.

Geography and demographics: Assyrian communities are strongest in Tehran and other urban centers, with notable populations in Isfahan, Urmia, Kermanshah, and Ahvaz. Precise population figures are not widely published; estimates place the community in the hundreds of thousands within Iran, though many individuals have emigrated to Europe, North America, and Australia in recent decades.

Culture and institutions: Churches, cultural associations, and Syriac-language publications support religious and cultural life. Assyrian heritage organizations focus on language preservation, education, charity, and maintaining ties with diaspora communities. As an officially recognized religious minority, Iranian Assyrians participate in religious life and public affairs to varying degrees depending on the political climate.

Contemporary issues: Language maintenance, economic opportunities, and preserving cultural identity amid migration and assimilation are ongoing concerns. The community remains a visible component of Iran’s ethnic and religious mosaic, with connections to Assyrian communities abroad.