Iran is often talked about as if it were one big, unified block of Shia Persians—but that’s just a simplification. Sure, Persians make up the majority, and Shia Islam is the official religion, but that only scratches the surface. The truth is, Iran is one of the most diverse countries in the region—ethnically, linguistically, and religiously.
Ethnic Diversity Across the Country
Most people know that Iran is home to Persians, but less attention is paid to the large communities of Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Arabs, Baluchis, and Turkmens—each with their own language, customs, and, in some cases, cross-border ties.
The map below, created by Dr. Michael Izady of Columbia University, offers a more detailed view of the Ethnic diversity of this country.
Azerbaijanis are the largest ethnic minority. They live mainly in the northwest, around Tabriz and the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan. They speak Azerbaijani, a Turkic language, and share cultural roots with neighboring Azerbaijan.
Kurds are mostly in the west, close to the Iraqi border, in provinces like Kurdistan and Kermanshah. They speak Kurdish and have deep historical roots in the Zagros Mountains.
In the south and southwest, especially in Khuzestan, there’s a significant Arab population. Some of them have lived there for centuries, and the area’s proximity to Iraq has shaped both its culture and politics.
To the east, you’ll find the Baluchis, mostly in Sistan and Baluchistan. They speak Baluchi and are culturally connected to Balochistan across the border in Pakistan.
Turkmens live in the northeast, in areas like Golestan, near the border with Turkmenistan. And throughout the country, there are smaller groups—Lurs, Gilaks, Mazandaranis, Qashqai, Armenians, Assyrians—each with their own history.
Religious Differences—And How They Cross Ethnic Lines
Most Iranians are Twelver Shia Muslims, especially Persians, but religion in Iran is more diverse than you might expect.
Kurds and Baluchis, for example, are mostly Sunni Muslims. The same goes for many Turkmens. So while Iran is officially Shia, some of its biggest ethnic minorities follow Sunni Islam. This mix of ethnicity and religious affiliation is part of what makes Iran so complex—and sometimes politically tense.
Then there are non-Muslim communities:
Christians, mostly Armenians and Assyrians
Jews, mostly in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz
Zoroastrians, mainly in Yazd and Kerman
And the Baháʼís, who face official persecution despite being one of Iran’s largest religious minorities
Religion and ethnicity aren’t always tied together neatly. Some ethnic groups are religiously mixed, and some religions cross ethnic lines. But the way they interact shapes everything from culture and local politics to Iran’s laws and international relations.
Iran’s ethnic and religious mosaic helps explain why governance in the country is so centralized—and why that centralization often leads to friction in the outer provinces. From Kurdish villages in the Zagros Mountains to Arab-majority cities in Khuzestan or Baluchi border towns in the southeast, local identity matters.
Understanding this complexity helps us see Iran not just as a single entity, but as a landscape filled with interwoven histories, languages, faiths, and aspirations.
