Why is Persia called Iran? Who are the Iranians? What is Happening Between Iran & Iraq?
Note: If you'd rather not read about history and possible reasons, scroll to the end of the article to learn what is transpiring in the news between Iran and Iraq.
Iran is Persian because its roots trace back to the ancient Persian Empire, one of the world's oldest and most influential civilizations. The Persian people, language (Farsi), and culture predate the rise of Islam and the Arab expansion by centuries, with dynasties such as the Achaemenids, Parthians, and Sassanids shaping the region’s identity.
However, in the 7th century, the Arab conquests following the rise of Islam brought Iran under the rule of the Rashidun and later the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates. While Iran adopted Islam, it resisted full Arabization, maintaining its Persian language, literature, and distinct identity. Over time, Persian culture significantly influenced the broader Islamic world, contributing to philosophy, science, art, and governance.
Iran also embraced Shia Islam as its dominant sect, setting it apart from the Sunni-majority Arab states. Despite existing in a predominantly Arabic-speaking geopolitical environment, Iran asserts its Persian identity while exerting regional influence through religious, political, and military alliances, particularly with Arabic-speaking groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and militias in Iraq and Syria. Today, Iran navigates this complex dynamic, maintaining its unique heritage while actively engaging in the Arabic-speaking Middle East’s political and religious landscape.
While some Iranians may view themselves as culturally superior due to Iran’s long history as a major empire and center of civilization, this sentiment is not universal. Iran sees itself as the inheritor of the great Persian legacy, which predates Arab and Islamic civilizations. This has led to a sense of national pride, especially in language, literature, and historical achievements.
However, the rivalry between Persians and Arabs—rooted in the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century—has sometimes contributed to a perception of superiority among some Iranians toward their Arab neighbors, including Iraqis. This was evident during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), when Saddam Hussein’s regime framed the conflict as an Arab-Persian struggle, while Iran, under Ayatollah Khomeini, saw it as a battle between Islamic revolutionaries and secular Arab nationalism.
At the same time, Iran and Iraq share deep religious ties, particularly among Shia Muslims. Iran positions itself as a protector of Shia Islam, and many Iraqi Shia leaders and clerics have strong ties to Iran, especially in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. This religious connection somewhat mitigates ethnic and nationalistic tensions.
Ultimately, while some Iranians may view Iraq as historically less sophisticated due to its more recent struggles with war and instability, many also see Iraqis—especially Shia Muslims—as spiritual and cultural brethren. The perception varies depending on both societies' political, religious, and generational perspectives.
A number of news articles state that Iran will be okay. This implies that Iran and Iraq are breaking up since you know who is back in the White House.
