Azerbaijani Identity in Iran: A Systematic Review, Identity Spectrum, and Analysis of Contemporary Developments

Context. Estimates suggest that 20–30 million Azerbaijanis live in Iran, a population two to three times larger than that of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Although officially recognised as a major ethnic and linguistic group, this recognition remains tightly bounded. Identity is largely confined to spoken language use, while cultural, educational, media, and political expressions have been persistently constrained.Objective. This study examines how Azerbaijani identity in Iran is formed, negotiated, and transformed under conditions of partial recognition and institutional constraint, with particular attention to recent identity awakening.Method. The study adopts a mixed qualitative design, combining a thematic literature review with semi-structured interviews and contextual analysis of developments since the early 2000s. Interview data were analysed iteratively using an identity-spectrum framework, supported by member checking and triangulation.Results. Increased visibility and articulation of Azerbaijani identity have occurred alongside continued suppression and selective recognition, producing asymmetric identity change. Individuals are more likely to shift toward stronger Azerbaijani identification following experiences of misrecognition, with collective arenas such as sport, media, activism, and politics amplifying these dynamics.Conclusion. Azerbaijani identity awakening in Iran is best understood as a structurally produced response to long-term recognition deficits rather than an externally driven process.