Iranians

Iranians are people who identify with Iran through nationality or ethnicity. The term can refer to citizens of the modern Islamic Republic of Iran as well as to various ethnolinguistic groups native to the Iranian plateau. Iran’s population includes Persians, who form the largest group, along with Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Lurs, Baloch, Mazandarani, Gilaki, Turkmen, Qashqai and other communities. The majority language is Persian (Farsi), which serves as the national language and lingua franca, while many other languages are spoken across the country.

Most Iranians are Muslims, with Shia Islam, in its Twelver form, being the predominant branch. There are also religious minorities, including Sunnis, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, and Baha’is, among others. Religious and cultural practices vary by region and community, contributing to Iran’s cultural diversity.

Geographically, Iran is located in Western Asia and features varied landscapes, including mountain ranges, deserts, and coastal areas along the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. The region has a long historical tradition, with ancient civilizations and empires such as the Achaemenids and Sassanids influencing world history. In the modern era, the country underwent political and social changes in the 20th century and is known today as the Islamic Republic of Iran, established in 1979.

The Iranian diaspora is spread across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, and Iranian culture has had a broad international influence. Iran has contributed significantly to literature, art, science, and cinema, with Persian literature and contemporary Iranian cinema receiving international recognition.