Iranian — relating to Iran, its peoples, languages and culture

Languages and peoples

Iranian languages form one branch of the Indo‑Iranian subgroup of the Indo‑European family. Major modern representatives include Persian (often called Farsi in Iran, Dari in Afghanistan and Tajik in Tajikistan), Kurdish, Pashto, Balochi and several smaller languages such as Luri and Ossetic. "Iranian peoples" is a broad classification for groups historically linked to these languages; it includes Persians, Kurds, Pashtuns, Baloch, Tajiks, Lurs and others, each with distinct identities and regional histories.

History and religion

The cultural and political history associated with Iranian identities stretches from ancient empires such as the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian states through medieval Persianate dynasties to the modern nation state. Zoroastrianism is the best‑known pre‑Islamic religion originating in the region; after the 7th century, Islam became dominant, and Twelver Shia Islam is now the majority faith in the contemporary Iranian state, while Sunnism and other faiths remain important in many Iranian communities.

Culture, arts and influence

Iranian cultural contributions include a rich tradition of poetry, miniature painting, carpet weaving, architectural forms such as iwans and domes, and musical and theatrical practices. The Persian language and Persianate cultural norms historically influenced literature, court culture and administration across Central and South Asia, contributing to a wider cultural zone often called the Persianate world.

Modern usage and diaspora

In English, "Iranian" commonly refers to citizens of Iran or matters relating to the state and its institutions, while "Persian" often designates the Persian language or the Persian ethnic and cultural tradition. Large diasporas of Iranians and Iranian‑language speakers live around the world and participate in science, arts, business and public life, sustaining diverse and evolving senses of Iranian identity.