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Which ethnic and religious communities live in Tehran?

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Tehran: mosque in bazaar — Tehran Mosque with cupola in the bazaar, Tehran.

Tehran is a culturally and ethnically diverse city that reflects the broader demographics of Iran. While the city is dominated by Persian culture and language, it serves as a meeting point for many groups.12

Ethnic Communities

Tehran is home to a majority of Persians, alongside sizable ethnic minorities. These include:
* Azerbaijanis
* Kurds
* Turkmen
* Arabs
* Lurs
* Baloch
* Armenians, who have a long-standing presence in the city.31

Religious Communities

The distribution of faith in Tehran largely mirrors that of Iran as a whole.1
* Muslims: The vast majority of inhabitants are Muslim, with the Shi'i branch being the most prevalent.12
* Religious Minorities: Tehran hosts significant communities of Christians (primarily Orthodox Armenians), Jews, and Zoroastrians.41

While the 1979 constitution recognizes Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians as official minorities, the post-revolutionary era has seen significant social and political challenges for non-Muslims, including the emigration of many members of the Jewish community.4