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Which religious groups form small minority communities in Iran?
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In Iran, the most significant recognized religious minority communities are Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians.1
- Christians: This is the most numerous of the recognized minority groups, with Orthodox Armenians forming the majority. The community also includes Assyrians, who are Nestorian, Protestant, or Roman Catholic.1
- Jews: While the Jewish population was significant historically, many emigrated following the 1979 revolution.12
- Zoroastrians: Primarily concentrated in Tehran, Yazd, and Kerman, this community maintains a long history in the region despite centuries of varying degrees of persecution.13
Additionally, members of the Bahāʾī Faith—a religion founded in Iran—constitute a minority group that has faced significant persecution and has seen many members leave the country due to unfavorable political conditions. While Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians are officially recognized in the constitution, the treatment of non-Muslims has remained a complex issue since the 1979 revolution.123