Overview: The Persian-Median Peoples affinity bloc stretches from Turkey to Pakistan, encompassing peoples who speak related Iranian languages with common linguistic roots dating back approximately 3,500 years. Major groups include the Persians of Iran, Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Kurds spanning Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, Tajiks of Central Asia, and Baloch of Pakistan and Iran. These peoples have played pivotal roles throughout history, from ancient Persian empires that shaped the classical world to contemporary significance in Middle East and Central Asian geopolitics. Many remain central to regional dynamics, including issues of statehood, ethnic rights, and cultural preservation. The bloc is characterized by shared linguistic heritage within the Iranian language family, with significant diversity in dialects, religious practices (predominantly Islam, including Sunni and Shia variations, plus minority faiths), and cultural traditions shaped by distinct historical experiences.

  -- ROP Editor

People clusters: Aimaq; Baloch; Domari; Kurd; Luri-Bakhtiari; Nuristani; Parsee; Pashtun; Persian; Tajik; Talysh

Countries where they are found: Afghanistan; Armenia; Australia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; China; Denmark; Egypt; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Italy; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Lebanon; Libya; Malaysia; Netherlands; New Zealand; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; Russian Federation; Saudi Arabia; South Korea; Sri Lanka; Syria; Tajikistan; Türkiye; Turkmenistan; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States; Uzbekistan