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Who are the Kurds of Iran?

Published March 5, 2026, 17:17
Who are the Kurds of Iran?

The Kurds are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Middle East without their own independent state, with an estimated population of 25-45 million. They primarily live in a mountainous region spanning parts of Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Armenia. In Turkey, they constitute the largest ethnic minority. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the creation of a Kurdish state was proposed, but the proposal was rejected by Turkey. Kurds are predominantly Sunni Muslims, but are characterized by great religious, cultural, and political diversity. In Iran, Kurds make up approximately 8-17% of the population and live mainly in the west of the country, where they have been seeking greater autonomy or even independence for decades. Human rights organizations report violations of their rights, such as restrictions on language and arbitrary arrests. Armed Kurdish organizations have been opposing the Tehran regime for years. In the current climate of tension, reports indicate that the CIA is working to arm Kurdish forces in Iran, with the aim of inciting an uprising. Iranian-Kurdish organizations have already announced that action is imminent and are calling on members of the Iranian armed forces to defect.