ran is home to a deeply complex, diverse society with layers of identity that extend far beyond state politics. Iranians are culturally Persian, religiously diverse within Shia Islam, and have long engaged with Western ideas and values.
By Dr. Tim Orr
When we think of Iran, especially in the West, it’s easy to picture the Islamic Republic—its leaders, its policies, and the images that dominate the headlines. However, seeing Iran only through the lens of its government misses an essential truth about the country. Iran is home to a deeply complex, diverse society with layers of identity that extend far beyond state politics. Iranians are culturally Persian, religiously diverse within Shia Islam, and have long engaged with Western ideas and values. The people’s vibrant spirit, intellectual tradition, and complex relationship with faith often contrast the narratives their government projects.
Iran’s Persian heritage is one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures, stretching back more than 2,500 years to civilizations like the Achaemenid Empire. This culture survived numerous invasions, from Alexander the Great to the Arab conquests, each time adapting and preserving its distinct identity. This history isn’t just in textbooks for Iranians—it’s embedded in everyday life. Persians celebrate their history through festivals like Nowruz and the Persian New Year, marking the spring equinox with traditions passed down for generations. The poetry of Rumi, Hafez, Ferdowsi, the philosopher Avicenna, and the architecture of Persepolis remain living symbols of a culture that deeply values wisdom, beauty, and resilience.
This cultural pride has created a strong sense of Iranian pride that resists external influence from the West or neighboring Arab countries. Despite the government’s emphasis on Islamic identity, Persian heritage remains as important as religious beliefs for many Iranians. This pride goes beyond politics—it’s about a shared identity that predates Islam, uniting Iranians around a common history and set of values. This long-standing heritage has fueled Iran’s resilience and a spirit of independence that persists despite the pressures of the Islamic Republic’s control.
Shia Islam is Iran’s dominant religion, and the country’s official designation as an “Islamic Republic” might suggest a uniformity in belief. But the reality of Shiism in Iran is far more layered, with different schools of thought that often contradict the state’s ideology. Classical Shiism, as practiced for centuries, tends to be spiritually focused and often apolitical, with a tradition of “quietism” that refrains from involvement in governance. This view holds that only the Mahdi—the hidden, divinely guided leader of the Shia faith—has the authority to establish a truly just Islamic government. In classical Shiism, clerics play a role as spiritual guides, focusing on personal morality, theology, and community ethics rather than the mechanisms of state power.
The 1979 Iranian Revolution, however, introduced a different perspective. Ayatollah Khomeini transformed Shiism with his doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih, or “Guardianship of the Jurist.” This ideology argues that in the absence of the Mahdi, a qualified Shia jurist has the right—and indeed, the duty—to govern, ensuring that Islamic principles guide every aspect of society. Khomeini’s interpretation reshaped Iranian politics and society, positioning the Supreme Leader as the highest political and religious authority, with powers extending across public and private life. This form of Shiism is more activist and politically driven, enforcing strict interpretations of Islamic law and shaping Iran’s foreign policy, often in opposition to Western influence.
This shift was revolutionary, but it didn’t come without tension. Many traditional Shia scholars, particularly in the religious center of Najaf in Iraq, continue to reject Wilayat al-Faqih as a distortion of Shia doctrine. Following a quietist tradition, these clerics emphasize a spiritual approach to Shiism, focusing on personal holiness and distancing themselves from political ambitions. This tension is evident within Iran among reformist and moderate movements, where many Iranians advocate for a Shiism that values spirituality over political control.
Khomeini’s political Shiism has led to deep internal divisions in Iran. Many Iranians and clerics, especially those who align with the quietist traditions, question the regime’s authority and its interpretation of Islam. For them, religion is personal, meant to shape individual lives rather than dictate the functions of the state. These differences have become increasingly visible in recent years, with reformist voices calling for a Shiism that respects personal belief without enforcing religious rules through state power.
This divide has shaped a unique landscape in Iran. Iranians have expressed these sentiments through various forms of dissent—peaceful protests, artistic expression, underground religious gatherings, and political activism. These movements often reflect a longing to return to a more introspective, personal Shiism, free from state interference. Despite the regime’s authoritarian stance, this spirit of resistance is deeply rooted in Iran’s history of cultural pride and independence, signaling a profound desire among Iranians to reclaim their faith and identity from political control.
Iran’s relationship with the West is complicated, woven with admiration and disillusionment. Iranians have long been drawn to Western ideas, values, and innovations despite the government's anti-Western rhetoric. Before the revolution, Iran had strong ties with the West; many Iranians studied, worked, and traveled abroad, bringing back influences that shaped Iranian society. Today, even under the restrictions of the Islamic Republic, Western culture remains popular, especially among young Iranians who view Western ideals as symbols of freedom, progress, and human rights. Social media has only amplified this interest, offering Iranians access to global perspectives that their government tries to restrict.
Many Iranians see Western ideals as an alternative to the government’s ideology. For them, values like democracy, freedom of expression, and individual rights resonate deeply, starkly contrasting the restrictive policies of the Islamic Republic. Yet this admiration is often paired with a frustration rooted in history, as Iranians remember past Western interventions, particularly the 1953 CIA-led coup that reinstated the Shah, as a betrayal of their sovereignty. This complex relationship shapes Iran’s view of the West, blending admiration for Western freedoms with a cautious awareness of historical interference.
The Iranian government’s policies don’t necessarily reflect the values of its people. Many Iranians, particularly younger generations, are disillusioned with the regime’s restrictions, frustrated by limited freedoms, economic stagnation, and isolation from the rest of the world. Protests, like the 2009 Green Movement or the more recent demonstrations sparked by women’s rights and economic grievances, reveal a deep-seated dissatisfaction. Iranians, especially the youth, express this discontent through political protests and creative acts of resistance, from fashion choices that push against dress codes to artistic projects that question the status quo.
These acts of resistance highlight a profound divide between a government intent on preserving its ideological grip and a population yearning for change. For many Iranians, their identity is more aligned with universal human values than the regime’s strict ideology. This gap continues to grow as a younger generation, more connected to the world than ever before, challenges the limitations imposed by their leaders.
To understand Iran, we must look beyond the regime and see the rich tapestry of its people. Iranians are not just shaped by politics but by an enduring Persian identity, a unique interpretation of Shiism, and a complex relationship with Western values. Recognizing this distinction is crucial for fostering empathy and creating a more nuanced view of Iran’s potential future.
Iran is more than its government; it is a society rich in culture, deeply connected to its history, and driven by a strong sense of individuality. By seeing beyond the regime’s narrative, we can appreciate the complex, resilient nature of the Iranian people—individuals who value freedom, diversity, and a rich heritage far more enduring than any political power. The Iranian people, with their unyielding pride in their culture and spirit of resistance, deserve to be seen for who they are, not just through the government's policies that claim to represent them.
Tim Orr is a scholar, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, the University of Tehran, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.