The majority population in Iran, Persians are also well represented in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, many Persians have immigrated to Western Europe and North America.

Persians speak an Indo-European language called Farsi and are descended from waves of Eurasian pastoral nomads who arrived in southwestern Asia from 2000 to 1000 BC. Ancient Persia was home to many different tribes, but as long ago as the sixth century B.C., these tribes were united under the Persian Empire and by the Zoroastrian religion. Only in the seventh century A.D. did invading Arabs bring Islam to the region and supplant the old religion.

Despite many foreign invasions since then, Persians have continued to maintain their distinct culture, language, and group identity. Their uniqueness is in part reinforced by their religious beliefs. They represent the single largest group of Shiite Muslims in the world, in contrast to the Sunni Muslims, who dominate in the rest of the Middle East.

A minority of Persians still practices Zoroastrianism, and there are small communities of Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i Persians as well. Bahaism preaches the unity of humankind, the importance of peace and universal education, and the equality of men and women.

Members of all faiths observe and celebrate the Persian New Year, Nowruz, an ancient Zoroastrian rite of spring and rebirth that begins with a thorough cleaning of the house and the setting of an altar rich with items that symbolize good luck and abundance. Beginning on the first day of spring and continuing for 13 days, the holiday is a time when families visit each other. On the 13th day, families go on picnics and spend time outdoors while ridding their homes of any bad luck from the past year.

A Persian family is dominated by the father, who tends to be formal and disciplinarian, while the mother often plays the role of peacemaker and mediates between father and children. The nuclear family is the most important domestic group, but extended families often choose to live near one another.

Drawing artistic and poetic inspiration from their past, contemporary Persians have a cultural pride that runs very deep. Mystical poetry, classical Persian music, calligraphy, and miniature painting continue to be practiced in their traditional forms, although the global pop culture also exerts an influence.

Perhaps the most dramatic differences among Persians in the Middle East are found between urban residents and people who reside in rural areas. Urban Persians live in a hierarchical society based on occupation and social class, while rural Persians occupy tightly knit villages and have a farming lifestyle.