Iran is a diverse country consisting of people of many ethnic backgrounds and religions cemented by the Persian culture. The majority of the population speak the Persian language, which is also the official language of the country, as well as other Iranian languages or dialects. Turkic languages and dialects, most importantly Azeri language, are spoken in different areas in Iran. Additionally, Kurdish is spoken in western parts as well as Arabic in the southwestern parts of the country.
Religion in Iran is dominated by the Twelve Shi’a branch of Islam, which is the official state religion and to which about 90% to 95% of Iranians belong. About 4% to 8% of Iranians belong to the Sunni branch of Islam, mainly Kurds and Iran’s Balochi Sunni. The remaining 2% are non-Muslim religious minorities, including Bahá’ís, Mandeans, Hindus, Yezidis, Yarsanis, Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians.