Iran’s Systematic Suppression of Non-Persian Peoples: A Century of Cultural Erasure
By Mahdi Hashemi
In recent weeks, a disturbing wave of nationalist extremism has targeted the identity and cultural heritage of non-Persian peoples in Iran. Iranian chauvinists, both within the country and in exile, have actively burned symbols of these marginalized groups, particularly those of the Ahwazi Arab people. Simultaneously, Iran’s parliament has rejected the enforcement of Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution, which allows for education in native languages, reinforcing the state’s long-standing policy of cultural erasure and forced assimilation.
A Systematic Policy of Suppression
For nearly a century, Iran’s central government has pursued a relentless policy of marginalizing non-Persian ethnic groups, denying them fundamental rights such as education in their native languages and participation in cultural and political life. The recent actions of nationalist Iranian opposition figures—who claim that the Ahwazi people are a minority or migrants—highlight a disturbing consensus across political factions: both the regime and segments of the opposition reject the recognition of non-Persian identities.
While Iran presents itself as a multiethnic nation, its policies reveal an entrenched system of Persian hegemony. The forced imposition of the Persian language, the systematic erasure of historical narratives that challenge the state’s official version, and the branding of any demand for linguistic or cultural rights as a “national security threat” underscore a broader strategy of assimilation and repression.
A Bipartisan Effort to Maintain Persian Hegemony
What is particularly revealing is the shared outlook between the Iranian government and much of the Persian opposition. Despite their ideological differences, both factions appear united in their refusal to acknowledge the rights of non-Persian peoples. The rejection of Article 15 in parliament, which could have granted basic linguistic rights, is yet another confirmation that the state remains firmly committed to Persianization.
Furthermore, the opposition’s involvement in recent acts of cultural vandalism—burning the symbols of Ahwazi Arabs and other non-Persian groups—illustrates that Persian nationalist extremism is not confined to state actors. Instead, it is a deeply ingrained ideology that permeates political discourse on both sides of the spectrum.
Erasure of History and Identity
One of the most striking aspects of Iran’s ethno-nationalist policies is the deliberate destruction and suppression of non-Persian history. The central government ensures that the only recognized historical narrative is the Persian one, while other histories—whether Arab, Kurdish, Baloch, or Turks—are either erased, distorted, or outright banned. Any attempt by non-Persian communities to reclaim their history, culture, or language is swiftly labeled as “separatist” or a “threat to national security.”
The systematic denial of cultural identity is accompanied by economic and political marginalization. Indigenous populations in various regions, particularly in Ahwaz, Baluchestan, and other regions , suffer from institutionalized discrimination, lack of infrastructure, and economic deprivation, further ensuring their subjugation.
A Future Defined by Resistance or Continued Repression?
The continued refusal to recognize the linguistic and cultural rights of Iran’s diverse peoples raises a critical question: can internal resistance force change, or will international pressure be necessary? The past century has shown that neither Iran’s rulers nor its mainstream opposition have any intention of acknowledging non-Persian identities. The only real challenge to this system appears to come from grassroots movements within these communities, who continue to resist cultural erasure despite immense repression.
The recent events—the rejection of native language rights, the burning of non-Persian symbols, and the ongoing marginalization of indigenous peoples—are not isolated incidents. They are part of a deeply entrenched system designed to uphold Persian supremacy at the cost of Iran’s true diversity. Unless a radical shift occurs, the next century may look much like the last: a state that denies its multicultural reality and suppresses its own people to preserve an illusion of homogeneity.