Iran’s Ethnic Mosaic: A Diverse Nation Under Clerical Rule

BY AHMET TAŞ | WISE NEWS PRESS

TEHRAN, IRAN — Iran is currently grappling with a severe economic crisis and recurring civil unrest while managing a complex, multinational population consisting of diverse ethnic and religious groups.

The nation, long centered on a Persian identity, serves as home to significant Azeri, Kurdish, and Baluchi minorities whose historical grievances and aspirations for autonomy often clash with the centralized clerical regime in Tehran. According to recent data from the Iranian parliament's research center, these internal pressures and instabilities have led at least 30 million people—more than a third of the population—to migrate within the country over the last 30 years.

The Persian Core and Shifting Identities

For centuries, the Persian Empire stood as a central power in the region. Iran remains a multi-ethnic state composed of numerous peoples who share a long, intertwined history. Following the Arab conquests in the 7th century, Islam was adopted; however, the population famously preserved the Persian language, which remains a central carrier of Iranian identity today.

A pivotal shift occurred in the 16th century when Shah Ismail I, founder of the Safavid Dynasty, declared "Twelver Shiism" as the state religion. This move was a conscious effort to differentiate Iran from the Sunni-dominated Ottoman Empire. In 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi officially changed the state's name to "Iran" to promote a more modern, unified national identity. Despite these efforts, Sunnis remain a significant religious minority, making up approximately 5 to 10% of the population, residing primarily in border regions such as Kurdistan, Baluchistan, and Turkmen territories.

Ethnic Representation in Government Leadership

The Iranian political system is primarily sustained by those ideologically loyal to the Islamic Republic, where ideology often takes precedence over ethnic origin. This is reflected in the highest echelons of power. For instance, the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is of Azeri descent.

Similarly, the current President, Masoud Pezeshkian, is of mixed Kurdish and Azeri heritage, while one of Khamenei's key advisors, Ali Shamkhani, comes from an ethnic Arab family. Despite this representation at the top, minorities in border regions have long reported systematic disadvantages. State media has recently increased reports regarding "separatist activities" aimed at dragging the country into chaos, reflecting the regime's anxiety over ethnic fractures.

Kurdish Aspirations and the Legacy of Mahabad

Kurdish populations, estimated to be between 9 and 12 million, constitute a vital ethnic group in Iran. Most are Sunni Muslims and form part of the larger Kurdish population spread across Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. The 1946 Mahabad Republic, which lasted only 11 months with Soviet support, continues to inspire modern aspirations for autonomy.

Historically, Kurdish uprisings have been met with severe crackdowns, including those during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Although many Kurds participated in the 1979 Revolution to topple the Shah, the subsequent clerical government rejected any form of autonomy. This tension persists today, most notably evidenced by the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Jina Amini, a young Kurdish woman. Tehran often justifies its harsh response in these regions by citing national security and maintains close cooperation with neighboring countries to suppress cross-border Kurdish movements.

Azeri Turks and Geopolitical Tensions with Baku

In the northwest, the provinces of West and East Azerbaijan house a large population of Azeri Turks, estimated at approximately 18 million. This group is nearly double the population of the neighboring independent Republic of Azerbaijan. Tehran remains wary of separatist groups aiming for a "Southern Azerbaijan" or nationalist movements in Baku dreaming of a "Greater Azerbaijan."

Recent developments in the relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel have further unsettled Tehran. Since the 1979 Revolution, Iran’s leadership has presented itself as a protector of the Islamic world against Israel. The presence of a large, culturally distinct Azeri minority near a border where Israeli influence is perceived to be growing adds a layer of geopolitical sensitivity to Iran's internal ethnic management.

Baluchistan: Poverty and the Shadow of Executions

Sistan and Baluchistan, located in the southeast, remains one of Iran's most impoverished and volatile regions. Home to approximately 3 million Sunni Baluchis, the area is difficult for the central government to control. Many residents rely on fuel or drug smuggling for survival due to the lack of economic opportunities.

The region sees a disproportionately high number of executions. In 2024, of the 975 documented executions in Iran, 503—more than half—were based on drug-related convictions. Human rights organizations have called on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to take a stronger stand against these penalties. The "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests of 2022 also saw significant unrest in the regional capital, Zahedan, which became a flashpoint for state intervention and subsequent death sentences for protesters.

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