The Azerbaijani minority in Iran

Translated by Irene Cecchi

Since October 2024, many Azerbaijani activists in Iran have been arrested by authorities. The main charges against them are based on claims that they “pose a threat to state security.” However, in many cases, no evidence has been presented to justify their detention. Azerbaijanis are the largest ethnic minority in Iran and have historically played a significant role in the country’s affairs.

Historical context and integration into Iranian society

Iran is home to many ethnic minorities. In fact, ethnic Persians make up only half of the population and Azerbaijanis constitute at least 16% of the country’s inhabitants. Historically, they have been concentrated in the northwestern region, known as Iranian Azerbaijan or Southern Azerbaijan. This territory borders the Republic of Azerbaijan (Northern Azerbaijan), as well as Armenia, Iraq, and Turkey. The region of Azerbaijan was divided in 1828 by the Treaty of Turkmenchay, which ended the Second Russo-Persian War. This division led the two territories and their respective populations to follow entirely different paths: the modern Republic of Azerbaijan became part of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union while Southern Azerbaijan remained under Persian control. The people of these two regions share the same ethnicity, culture, and language, which belongs to the Turkic language family. Azerbaijani Iranians refer to themselves as “Azeri Turks.” The degree of Azerbaijani autonomy has depended on the nature of Iran’s government throughout history. Since the 1920s, Iran has been governed by nationalist regimes that based their nation-building efforts on Persian identity. However, following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which emphasized religion over ethnicity, the situation for Azerbaijanis changed once again. Since Azerbaijani Iranians are Shiite Muslims, like most Iranians, they have been considered as a more integrated ethnic group within Iranian society. Many Azerbaijanis have even achieved significant political, economic, and religious influence. However, those who reach high positions in society often distance themselves from their Azerbaijani roots.

Despite this, the Azerbaijani community has not been immune to discrimination by the central government, which fears the emergence of separatist nationalist movements.

From Azerbaijani independence to the current situation

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the formation of the modern Azerbaijani state and significantly influenced Azerbaijani Iranians’ sense of identity. The presence of an Azerbaijani nation-state, along with Turkey, provided them with a potential cultural and political reference point. Additionally, growing disillusionment with Iran’s theocratic regime contributed to the awakening of Azerbaijani national consciousness. However, this nationalism has not translated into a widespread desire for independence—although such sentiments exist, they remain relatively minor. Instead, many Azerbaijanis seek greater freedom to express their identity without having to suppress it as they keep facing prejudice and inequality.

During the 1990s, several protests took place in major cities in the region, such as Tabriz. Protesters demanded recognition of their ethnic and linguistic identity and the right to receive education in the Azerbaijani language. However, tensions peaked in 2006 when an Iranian newspaper published an offensive caricature of Azerbaijanis. This led to mass demonstrations across major cities. When the government attempted to suppress the protests with police intervention, many Azerbaijani police officers refused to follow orders.

Over the years, various protests have continued—not only over linguistic and ethnic rights but also regarding the region’s economic situation that remains underdeveloped compared to other parts of the country. The government is reluctant to invest in the region, fearing that increased economic power could lead to a push for separatism.

Another issue causing dissatisfaction among Azerbaijanis is the deteriorating condition of Lake Urmia, Iran’s largest lake, which is at risk of drying up due to the government’s mismanagement of water resources. Although protests stem from different causes, they often lead to the same outcome: charges and imprisonment. Even simple Azerbaijani cultural events have resulted in arrests.

In recent years, repression against Azerbaijanis has intensified. Since October 2024, more than 24 Azerbaijani activists have been arrested and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 14 years. Charges include “propaganda against the state,” “espionage,” “collusion with the intent to act against national security,” and “participation in an opposition group.” in the attempt to frame these activists as part of a “conspiracy against the state”. However, no concrete evidence has been provided to justify their arrests. Many of those detained had been advocating for environmental issues related to Lake Urmia and defending the civil rights of Iran’s various ethnic groups. Some were also linked to the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, the Kurdish-Iranian woman accused of improperly wearing her hijab.

Additionally, many cases have been documented where detainees were denied medical treatment or subjected to torture while in prison.

The recent wave of arrests is just one example of how Tehran continues to suppress any form of expression that could empower the country’s minorities. Compared to the Iranian government’s actions against other ethnic groups, such as the Kurds, the treatment of Azerbaijanis is often considered less severe. However, Iranian authorities still refuse to grant them basic rights, arresting those who attempt to shed light on these inequalities with impunity.

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