IranianAmerican

The Iranian American is a person in the United States with Iranian heritage. The term refers to Americans who were born in Iran or elsewhere but have Iranian ancestry, as well as their descendants. Some also use Persian American, reflecting the former name of Iran in Western languages.

Iranian immigration to the United States occurred in several waves. Early 20th century professionals and students; a larger influx after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, many seeking asylum or pursuing education; subsequent decades saw professionals and entrepreneurs in fields such as engineering, medicine, science, and technology. Today Iranian Americans are concentrated in California, especially the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, with significant communities in New York, Virginia, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Official census data do not separately count Iranian origin, leading to estimates ranging from several hundred thousand to around a million or more.

The community maintains cultural practices such as language and cuisine. Persian language (Farsi) is commonly spoken alongside English, with generations maintaining traditions such as Nowruz and family-centered values. Iranian American institutions and media, including cultural organizations and academic programs, support language and arts.

Iranian Americans practice a variety of religions and beliefs. Many are Shia Muslims, but there are Jewish, Christian, Baháʼí, Zoroastrian, and secular communities, reflecting religious diversity within the diaspora.

Notable Iranian American figures include actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, Nazanin Boniadi, artist Shirin Neshat, tech executive Dara Khosrowshahi, entrepreneur Pierre Omidyar, and writer Reza Aslan. Organizations such as the National Iranian American Council advocate for policy and civil rights.