Irã: Muito Além dos Estereótipos — História, Cultura e o Desejo por Liberdade

Quando ouvimos falar do Irã, é comum pensarmos em guerra, repressão ou perigo. Mas essa imagem está longe de representar a complexidade e a beleza desse país. O Irã é uma terra de poesia, história antiga, e um povo educado que sonha com liberdade. Neste artigo, você vai descobrir o verdadeiro Irã — o que existia antes da revolução de 1979, a riqueza da cultura persa, a força da juventude atual e o contraste entre a população e o regime autoritário que está no poder. Muito além dos estereótipos, o Irã é um espelho das lutas humanas por dignidade, expressão e esperança.

Iran: What You Probably Don’t Know

When people hear “Iran,” they often think of war, danger, or “bad guys.” But that’s not the full story.

Iran is not a bad country — it’s a beautiful place with kind, educated people. The real problem is its autocratic government, not the people.

And it wasn’t always like this. Before the 1979 coup, Iran was more open, more free, and more modern. Women could dress how they wanted. People had more rights. There was music, cinema, and a strong connection with the West. After the coup, a religious regime took control and changed everything.

Iran is not Arab. It’s Persian, with a long and rich history.

Iran has a population of 92 million. Persians (or Fars) make up about 60% of the population. Turkic peoples form a significant minority at 20%, followed by Kurds at roughly 10%. Arabs represent less than 2%, and various smaller ethnic groups account for the remainder.

The people speak Farsi, not Arabic. Long before Islam, Iran followed Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest religions in the world. Even today, Iranians celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year — a tradition older than Islam.

Fire Temple of Yazd - Zoroastrianism

Today, most people in Iran are officially Muslim. But many young people don’t follow the religion in daily life. The problem is: it’s a crime to say you’re not Muslim. The regime controls beliefs, uses fear, and turns people against each other to stay in power.

Normal people walking around Tehran

So why does the Iranian regime fund groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, and fuel conflict with Israel? Because it benefits — a lot. First, it expands Iran’s regional influence. By supporting armed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Gaza, Iran projects power far beyond its borders. These groups act like unofficial branches of the regime, spreading its reach across the Middle East.

Second, external conflict is a convenient distraction. It shifts attention away from inflation, unemployment, and repression at home. Anti-Israel rhetoric unites conservatives and nationalists, creating a common enemy and silencing internal criticism.

Third, supporting “resistance” against Israel strengthens the regime’s religious and ideological legitimacy, especially among Shiite populations and even some Sunni radicals.

Fourth, it weakens Israel and its allies. Instability in Gaza and Lebanon makes it harder for Israel to build peaceful ties with Arab countries like Saudi Arabia or the UAE.

Fifth, Iran uses its influence over these groups as a geopolitical bargaining chip — especially in nuclear negotiations with the West.

Finally, war in the region drives up oil prices. Since Iran’s economy depends heavily on oil, even under sanctions, tension in the Middle East can mean more money flowing into the regime’s pockets.